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 23, 2016 · Temple Benjamin Freedom Master FM-2 NO Series · N282XT

East Haddam, CT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 23, 2016
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
East Haddam, CT
Aircraft
Temple Benjamin Freedom Master FM-2 NO Series (2012)
Tail Number
N282XT
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA16LA267

According to witnesses, the commercial pilot performed an engine run-up and then departed the airport in the experimental, amateur-built airplane. The airplane climbed to about 400 ft above ground level, entered a steep left bank then a spin, and descended behind trees. Video recorded by one of the witnesses showed the airplane in the spin and also revealed that the engine was operating until it impacted a house. Examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. According to a friend of the pilot, the pilot did not have much flight time in the accident airplane, and most of the accident airplane's initial test flights were completed by another pilot. There were no entries in the pilot's logbook associated with the accident airplane make and model. Given the lack of mechanical malfunctions and the pilot's lack of experience in the airplane, it is likely that the pilot failed to maintain airplane control during the initial climb.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-(general)-Not attained/maintained - C

Full Narrative

On July 23, 2016, about 1555 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Freedom Master FM-2, N282XT, was substantially damaged when it impacted a house shortly after takeoff from Goodspeed Airport (42B), East Haddam, Connecticut. The commercial pilot sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight that was operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 and was destined for Republic Airport (FRG), Farmingdale, New York.According to witnesses, the pilot performed an engine run-up and then departed the airport. The airplane climbed to about 400 feet above ground level, "banked hard left," entered a spin, and then descended behind trees. A witness video recorded the airplane in the spin, which revealed that the engine was operating until it impacted a house. According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, the pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land and sea, multiengine land, and instrument airplane. His most recent second-class medical certificate was issued on April 29, 2016. According to the pilot's logbook recovered at the time of the accident, he accumulated about 375 hours of flight time, of which, no hours were reported in the previous 3 years. However, his most recent flight review was dated January 29, 2016. Due to the pilot's injuries and subsequent convalescence, he was unable to complete and submit the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Accident/Incident Report (Form 6120.1). According to a friend of the pilot, the pilot did not have much flight time in the accident airplane and that most of the accident airplane phase flights were completed by another pilot. According to FAA records, the airplane was issued an airworthiness certificate in 2012. It was equipped with a Lycoming IO-360-C1C, 200-hp engine. A review of the maintenance logbooks revealed that the most recent condition inspection was performed on January 31, 2016, at a total time of 9.5 hours. In a maintenance log entry dated March 11, 2016, it stated that the airplane had accumulated 32.1 total hours of time in service. According to an FAA Inspector who responded to the accident site, the airplane impacted the house in a nose low attitude and came to rest inside the structure. The wings, fuselage, and empennage were substantially damaged during the accident sequence. The propeller remained attached to the engine and exhibited chordwise scratching. Furthermore, an odor consistent with aviation fuel was noted at the accident site. An examination of the airframe by an NTSB investigator revealed that both wing tips were impact damaged and the wings were separated from the airframe. The flaps and ailerons remained attached to the wings. The horizontal stabilizer and elevator were cut from the airframe to facilitate recovery, and the elevator remained attached to the horizontal stabilizer. The rudder was partially separated from the empennage. Flight control continuity was confirmed from all flight control surfaces to the cockpit through fractures consistent with overload.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:55 EDT
Nearest AirportGoodspeed (0nm NW)
Runway32
Runway Length2120 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftTemple Benjamin Freedom Master FM-2 NO Series
Tail NumberN282XT
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-C1C · Reciprocating · 200

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 46 · Second Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 9 kt, gusting 15 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57
Altimeter29.79 inHg
Observation Time19:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data