Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

July 1, 2011 · Couvillion S-17 · N433GC

Toledo, OH

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 1, 2011
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Toledo, OH
Aircraft
Couvillion S-17
Tail Number
N433GC
Operator
Joseph Deaton
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN11LA455

The pilot reported that he found no discrepancies during the preflight inspection and that the engine run-up and before-takeoff checks were normal. Immediately after takeoff, the airplane entered an uncommanded right turn. The pilot was unable to keep the airplane from turning to the right as it climbed to about 200 to 300 feet above the ground. He pulled the throttle to idle and landed the airplane in a field. The touchdown was hard, and the airplane impacted a rock pile during the landing roll. Postaccident examination revealed that the right rudder pedal was sheared off and that the right rudder cable had slack in it and was twisted around the right rudder horn attachment fitting. If this twist had existed during the flight, it could have caused the uncommanded right turn; however, it is likely that the cable twisted around the rudder horn during the impact when the right rudder pedal separated and allowed the cable to go slack. Additionally, when the cable was straightened, it was noted to be the proper length, and rudder cable continuity was confirmed. Flight control cable continuity was also confirmed from the flight controls to the ailerons and the elevator. No mechanical discrepancy was noted that would have resulted in the uncontrolled right turn.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-(general)-Attain/maintain not possible - C

Full Narrative

On July 1, 2011, about 1830 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Couvillion S-17, N433GC, sustained substantial damage when it impacted the terrain following a loss of control during takeoff from runway 04 at the Toledo Executive Airport (TDZ), Toledo, Ohio. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered and operated by the pilot as a personal flight under the provisions of the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was departing on a local flight. The pilot reported that it was his first flight in the airplane since he had purchased it from the previous owner. He reported that he inspected the flight controls and the cable attachment points during the preflight inspection and they appeared normal. The engine run-up and before takeoff checks were normal. He reported that he applied the throttle slowly to full power during takeoff. The airplane tracked straight on the runway until after liftoff. He reported that immediately after liftoff, the airplane entered into a sweeping right turn. The pilot was unable to keep the airplane from turning to the right as it climbed to about 200 – 300 feet above the ground. The airplane had turned about 180 degrees when he pulled the throttle to idle and attempted to land in a field. The airplane continued to turn as it overflew a fence, landed hard, and impacted a rock pile during the landing roll. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane and reported that it had sustained substantial damage. The airframe was twisted and the left wing bent. The right main landing gear was sheared off, and the right horizontal stabilizer was torn on the bottom. The right rudder pedal was sheared off. The right rudder cable was found slack and the cable attachment was found twisted around the right rudder horn attachment fitting. When the cable was straightened, it was the proper length and it confirmed rudder cable continuity. Flight control cable continuity was confirmed from the flight controls to their respective attach points on the flight control surfaces. No mechanical discrepancy was noted that could explain the reason for the uncontrolled right turn. The airplane had a total of 4.1 hours of flight time at the time of the accident. The pilot held a private pilot certificate with single-engine and multi-engine airplane land ratings and a single-engine seaplane rating. He held a third class medical certificate. He reported that he had a total of 1,353 flight hours, but with no flight time in the make and model of the accident airplane. He had built and flown a two-seat experimental amateur-built airplane that was similar to the accident airplane, and had logged about 150 – 200 hours of flight time in it. The original builder of the airplane reported that three pilots had flown the airplane prior to him selling it to a second owner. He reported that the three pilots did not indicate any discrepancies with the airplane. At 1953, the surface weather observation at TDZ was: wind 090 degrees at 6 knots; visibility 10 miles; sky clear; temperature 29 degrees Celsius; dew point 17 degrees Celsius; altimeter 30.00 inches of mercury.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:30 EDT
Nearest AirportToledo Executive Airport (0nm)
Runway04
Runway Length3799 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCouvillion S-17
Tail NumberN433GC
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJoseph Deaton
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 503 · Reciprocating
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 52 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time23:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data