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

January 16, 2020 · Rans S12 XL · N73KA

Titusville, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 16, 2020
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Titusville, FL
Aircraft
Rans S12 XL (1999)
Tail Number
N73KA
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA20LA079

According to the pilot, during the initial climbout about 200 ft above ground level, the engine stopped. The pilot made a 180° turn and attempted to land. The airplane impacted the ground and flipped over inverted. Examination of the airplane revealed that the cockpit and fuselage were crushed. Both horizontal stabilizers were bent upward and buckled. A postaccident examination of the engine and its components, which included several successful engine runs, revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.

Full Narrative

On January 16, 2020, about 1330 eastern standard time, an experimental amateur-built RANS S12XL airplane, N73KA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Arthur Dunn Air Park (X21), Titusville, Florida. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a personal flight under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. According to the pilot, during the initial climbout about 200 ft above ground level, the engine stopped. The pilot made a 180° descending left turn, while maintaining 60 mph. While attempting to flare and land, the nose and left main gear impacted the ground. The airplane flipped over and came to rest inverted. Examination of the airplane revealed that the cockpit and fuselage were crushed upward. Both horizontal stabilizers were bent upward and buckled. Examination of the engine and its components, which included several successful engine runs, revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:30 EST
Nearest AirportArthur Dunn Air Park (0nm ESE)
Runway04
Runway Length1805 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRans S12 XL
Tail NumberN73KA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsViking · 90 · Reciprocating · 90
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 65 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind50° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter30.25 inHg
Observation Time18:25
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data