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 10, 2018 · Zenair Zenith CH 750 No Series · N946JY

Temple, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 10, 2018
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Temple, TX
Aircraft
Zenair Zenith CH 750 No Series (2018)
Tail Number
N946JY
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN18LA385

Before takeoff, the private pilot completed a preflight inspection, engine start, and two engine run-ups with no anomalies noted. Shortly after takeoff, when the airplane was about 400 ft above ground level, the engine began to vibrate, and the pilot noticed a partial loss of power. He suspected carburetor icing and applied carburetor heat but observed no change to the engine power. Due to the low altitude, the pilot chose to execute a forced landing to a field. The airplane touched down in the soft field, and the nose gear collapsed. Postaccident examination of the airplane, which included the fuel system, revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that he should have applied carburetor heat before takeoff to clear any potential ice buildup during the taxi and subsequent engine run-ups. The airplane was operating in an area with weather conditions conducive to the formation of serious carburetor ice at glide power settings. Thus, the partial loss of engine power was likely due to an accumulation of carburetor ice while operating at reduced engine power settings before takeoff.

NTSB Probable Cause

The accumulation of carburetor ice before takeoff, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power on initial climb and a forced landing on unsuitable terrain.

Full Narrative

On September 10, 2018, about 0845 central daylight time, a Lynch Zenith 750 experimental amateur-built airplane, N946JY, impacted soft terrain during a forced landing following a partial loss of engine power during initial climb near Temple, Texas. The private pilot sustained minor injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan had been filed. The local flight departed the Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional Airport, Temple, Texas. According to the pilot, he had recently completed the building of the airplane and was operating under the phase 1 flight test experimental operating limitations. Prior to takeoff, he completed a preflight, engine start, and two engine run-ups. No abnormal engine indications or anomalies were noted during those tasks. Shortly after takeoff about 400 ft above ground level, the engine began to vibrate, and a partial loss of power was noticed by the pilot. The pilot suspected carburetor icing and applied carburetor heat. No change to the engine power was observed. Due to the low altitude, the pilot elected not to make a turn back to the runway and to execute a forced landing to a field that was in front of him. The airplane touched down in a soft field, and the nose gear collapsed. The airplane skidded about 20 yards and came to rest upright. The pilot departed with about 24 gallons of fuel in the fuel tanks. After the accident, no fuel was found to be leaking from the airplane. The pilot reported that he should have applied carburetor heat prior to takeoff to clear any potential icing buildup during taxi from ramp and subsequent engine run-ups. The pilot stated the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airplane and did not find any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The carburetor icing probability chart included in Federal Aviation Administration Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin No. CE-09-35, Carburetor Icing Prevention, indicated that the airplane was operating in an area that was associated with a serious risk of carburetor ice accumulation at glide power settings (Figure 1). Figure 1 - FAA Carburetor Icing Probability Chart

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:45 CDT
Nearest Airport1nm NNW
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftZenair Zenith CH 750 No Series
Tail NumberN946JY
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsGeneral Motors · Corvair · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 71 · Sprt · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind20° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 66 F
Altimeter29.98 inHg
Observation Time13:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data