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

April 14, 2012 · T Bird Golden Circle Air II · N5654N

Clara City, MN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 14, 2012
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Clara City, MN
Aircraft
T Bird Golden Circle Air II
Tail Number
N5654N
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN12LA244

The non-certificated pilot changed the airplane's fuel and then conducted several high-speed taxi runs to check engine operation in preparation for the airplane’s first flight after several months of inactivity. Shortly after the subsequent takeoff, the airplane's engine began to run rough and then lost power. The pilot elected to conduct a forced landing in a vacant field. A postaccident examination confirmed flight and engine control continuity and did not detect any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies. Although review of a carburetor icing probability chart indicated that the weather conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to serious carburetor icing at glide power, the investigation was unable to determine the cause of the loss of engine power.

NTSB Probable Cause

The airplane's loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Full Narrative

On April 14, 2012, about 1550 central daylight time, a T Bird Golden Circle Air Inc II, experimental light sport airplane, N5654N, conducted a force landing following a loss of engine power near Clara City, Minnesota. The non-certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was seriously injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, reported that the accident flight was the airplane’s first flight after several months of inactivity. The pilot changed the airplane’s fuel and performed several high speed taxis to check the engine operation. The pilot then departed from a private field, the airplane’s engine began to run rough and then lost power. During the forced landing, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. The on-scene examination conducted by the FAA confirmed continuity to both the flight and engine controls. The examination did not detect any preimpact anomalies. A review of the carburetor icing probability chart located in the FAA's Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-9-35, found that the airplane was operating in an area conducive to serious icing at glide power. However, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:50 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftT Bird Golden Circle Air II
Tail NumberN5654N
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 582ULDCDI-99 · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 79 · None · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point43 C
Altimeter29.72 inHg
Observation Time20:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data