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

June 7, 2012 · Schempp-Hirth Standard Cirrus · N943SB

Sparks, NV

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 7, 2012
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Sparks, NV
Aircraft
Schempp-Hirth Standard Cirrus
Tail Number
N943SB
Operator
Bay Area Soaring Associates
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR12LA250

Both pilots reported that they were aware that other gliders were operating in the same area and that they were maneuvering over hilly terrain looking for convective lift when the collision occurred. The pilot of the Schempp-Hirth reported that he did not see the Centrair approaching head-on until it passed directly overhead. The pilot of the Centrair reported that he was in wings-level flight, descending through 7,000 feet above mean sea level, when he suddenly saw the Schempp-Hirth appear beneath the nose of his glider, slightly to his right, heading in the opposite direction. Neither pilot had time to react, and the left wingtip of the Schempp-Hirth collided with the right wingtip of the Centrair. Both pilots were able to return to the launch gliderport and land safely.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of both pilots to see and avoid each other, which resulted in a midair collision.

Full Narrative

On June 7, 2012, at 1446 Pacific daylight time, a Schempp-Hirth Standard Cirrus glider, N943SB, and a Centrair C101A glider, N101LV, collided in mid-air near Sparks, Nevada. The private pilot in the Schempp-Hirth and the commercial pilot in the Centrair were not injured. Both gliders sustained substantial damage. The Schempp-Hirth was being operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91; the Centrair was being operated by Bay Area Soaring Associates, Inc., under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Neither pilot had filed a flight plan for their local flight from Air Sailing Gliderport (NV23), Sparks. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. Both gliders had been towed aloft approximately 30 to 45 minutes before the accident. Both pilots reported that they were aware that other gliders were operating in the same area, and that they were maneuvering over hilly terrain looking for convective lift when the collision occurred. The pilot of the Schempp-Hirth reported that he did not see the Centrair approaching head on until it passed directly overhead. The pilot of the Centrair reported that he was in level flight descending through 7,000 feet above mean sea level when he suddenly saw the Schempp-Hirth appear beneath the nose of his glider, slightly to his right, heading in the opposite direction. Neither pilot had time to react, and the left wingtip of the Schempp-Hirth collided with the right wingtip of the Centrair. Both gliders were able to return to their launch gliderport and land safely. The Schempp-Hirth had about 2 feet of its left wingtip nearly sheared off and about 75 percent of its left aileron was missing. Additionally, its fuselage was compressed and wrinkled at the root of the left wing. The Centrair had about 2 feet of its right wingtip sheared off and about half of its right aileron was missing.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:46 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSchempp-Hirth Standard Cirrus
Tail NumberN943SB
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBay Area Soaring Associates
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 50 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 66 · None · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 16 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 32 C
Altimeter29.95 inHg
Observation Time21:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data