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

September 1, 2011 · Spectrum RX 550 · UNREG

Hartland, ME

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 1, 2011
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Hartland, ME
Aircraft
Spectrum RX 550
Tail Number
UNREG
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA11CA500

The pilot stated that, while on a local flight, he was circling a field when the engine stopped running. He then executed a forced landing to the field, which was not uniformly level. During the landing the right wing hit the ground and the airplane cartwheeled before coming to rest upside down. The pilot stated that he believed that water got into the gasoline, which caused the engine to stop running. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the wing was substantially damaged. No registration number was present on the airplane and no data plate was present on either the airplane or the engine. Review of Federal Aviation Administration records revealed that the airplane was not registered and the pilot was not certificated. The FAA also advised the NTSB that no maintenance records were recovered.

NTSB Probable Cause

Personnel issues-Experience/knowledge-Experience/qualifications-Qualification/certification-Pilot

Full Narrative

While on a local flight, the pilot of the experimental amateur built airplane experienced a total loss of power. When public safety personnel asked the pilot how the accident occurred he advised that he was circling a field when the engine stopped running. He then executed a forced landing to the field which was not uniformly level. During the landing the right wing hit the ground; the airplane cartwheeled, and then came to rest upside down. When the pilot was asked how the loss of power had occurred, he advised public safety personnel that he believed that water got into the gasoline which caused the engine to stop running. Examination of the airplane by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors revealed the wing was substantially damaged. No registration number was present on the airplane, and no data plate was present on either the airplane or the engine. Review of FAA records revealed the airplane was not registered, and the pilot was not certificated. The FAA also advised the NTSB that no maintenance records were recovered. Despite multiple attempts by NTSB investigators to contact the pilot, no phone calls were returned, correspondence from the NTSB went unanswered, and no NTSB Form 6120.1 Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report was received.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:30 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSpectrum RX 550
Tail NumberUNREG
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · Reciprocating
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 51 · None · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55
Altimeter30.12 inHg
Observation Time21:35
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data