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

May 1, 2015 · Lathrop Steven A B8M NO Series · N5606X

Ravenna, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 1, 2015
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Ravenna, MI
Aircraft
Lathrop Steven A B8M NO Series (2008)
Tail Number
N5606X
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CEN15LA235

The private pilot of the gyrocopter stated that, after reducing engine power to descend, the engine experienced a total loss of power due to carburetor ice and that there was nowhere to land. The gyrocopter subsequently impacted 30-ft high power lines and the ground. Examination of the wreckage showed that the rotor blades were coned upward consistent with low rotor rpm at ground impact. Given the weather conditions in the area about the time of the accident, the aircraft would have been operating in conditions conducive to moderate carburetor icing at cruise power and serious icing at descent power. Thus, it is likely that the engine lost power due to carburetor icing.

NTSB Probable Cause

Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Temp/humidity/pressure-Conducive to carburetor icing-Effect on operation - C

Full Narrative

On May 1, 2015, about 1225 central daylight time, a homebuilt gyrocopter, N5606X, registered to the pilot/owner, was destroyed when it collided with power lines after a loss of engine power while maneuvering in the vicinity of Ravenna, Michigan. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the vicinity and a flight plan was not filed. The local flight was being conducted under the provisions of Federal Code of Regulations Part 91. The flight originated from Riverview, Michigan, about 1125. One witness reported that she heard a loud noise of a plane flying north. She further stated that she heard a loud booming sound and she looked up and saw black smoke. Another witness reported that he received a call from the pilot stating that he would be doing a slow fly-by in the area, about noon. The witness stated that he was outside several minutes after noon and that he heard the gyrocopter flying toward his home, looked up to the southeast, and saw the aircraft gliding toward the ground. The FAA inspector who examined the accident site and wreckage, reported that the wreckage was resting in a deep ditch on the north side of Sherman Road near the intersection of Wunsch Road in Moorland Township near Ravenna, MI. Evidence at the accident site showed that the gyrocopter had impacted 30-foot high power lines, consequently breaking two of the lines. A power line pole on the north side of Sherman Road was broken and unattached to its base. The pilot's headgear showed thermal damage to the face shield and soot was evident inside of the shield and around the face relief of the helmet, consistent with electrical arcing. The helmet was found in a ditch just west of Wunsch Road about 40 feet from the wreckage. The gyrocopter's rotor mast was broken off, about seat height. The rotor blades were coned upward consistent with low RPM and high loading. The trailing edges of the blades exhibited buckling between fasteners. One rotor blade had scuff marks on the bottom side. The other blade had buckling failure in the aft direction. One of the propeller blades of the pusher propeller was separated and was found about 50 yards beyond the wreckage. The broken blade leading edge exhibited leading edge marks consistent with contact with the broken power line wires. The Volkswagen engine appeared to be mostly intact. The crank would rotate by hand, but was limited due to adjacent impact damage. Automotive gasoline was present in the fuel filter and some gas was dripping out of the carburetor when first responders arrived. The broken ends of the power lines showed some broom straw signatures, some cut failures, and some right angle bending near the wire failures. The wires consisted of five aluminum wires wrapped about a steel core. The pilot stated on NTSB Form 6120 that as he slowed the engine to lower his altitude, he "got carb ice killing the engine [and] ran out of a place to land." The nearest weather reporting facility, located about 12 miles to the west of the accident site, reported a temperature of 16 degrees C and dew point of 4 degrees C, about 30 minutes prior to the accident. According to the Carburetor Icing Probability Chart, the aircraft would have been operating in conditions for moderate icing at cruise power and serious icing at descent power.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:25 EDT
Nearest AirportMuskegon County Airport (12nm W)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftLathrop Steven A B8M NO Series
Tail NumberN5606X
Aircraft CategoryGyro
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsVolkswagon · Reciprocating · 65
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 67 · Third Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind340° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 39 C
Altimeter30.14 inHg
Observation Time17:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data