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

November 3, 2020 · Stinson 108-3 · N6855M

El Monte, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 3, 2020
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
El Monte, CA
Aircraft
Stinson 108-3 (1949)
Tail Number
N6855M
Operator
Mondo Beyondo Thrill Squadron
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR21LA064

During an instructional flight in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, the airplane veered left. Despite the instructor’s application of corrective control inputs, the airplane did not respond as expected, ultimately resulting in a ground loop and substantial damage to the left wing. Postaccident examination revealed that both of the airplane’s tailwheel steering springs and tension chains were missing. The springs were found on the runway following the accident, separated from each other by about 1,700 ft. Neither of the chains were located. The manufacturer’s instructions called for the spring to connect directly to the tailwheel yoke, and the chain to connect to the steering arm with a connector clip. Evidence suggests that the spring was instead incorrectly connected directly to the steering arm. This reverse installation, while not in compliance with the maintenance instructions, did not appear to functionally affect the operation of the steering system, and therefore without examination of the missing chains or further examination of the tailwheel assembly, the significance of this finding could not be determined.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Attain/maintain not possible

Full Narrative

On November 03, 2020, about 1235 Pacific daylight time, a Stinson 108-3, N6855M, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident in El Monte, California. The flight instructor and the pilot receiving instruction were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. According to the flight instructor, the purpose of the flight was to provide tailwheel instruction to the private pilot. The pilot receiving instruction performed three full-stop takeoffs and landings from runway 19. During the landing roll following the fourth landing, the airplane began to veer to the left. The instructor assumed the flight controls and applied rudder, but the airplane did not respond. The instructor then applied right brake and the airplane began to turn to the right, but his subsequent application of left rudder produced no response. The airplane continued to turn to the right, and the left wing impacted the ground. The airplane came to rest facing the opposite direction and sustained substantial damage to the left wing and aileron. The airplane was equipped with a Scott 3000 series tailwheel assembly. The design incorporated a swiveling steering arm, that was connected to and controlled by the tailwheel steering yoke through a spring and a tension chain on both the left and right sides. The manufacturer’s instructions called for the spring to be connected directly to the tailwheel yoke, and the chain to be connected to the steering arm with a connector clip. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that both of the steering springs and chains had separated from both the tailwheel steering yoke and steering arm assembly and that the tension chain connector clips were connected to the tailwheel steering yoke rather than the steering arm. Both steering springs were located on the runway after the accident. One spring was recovered near the runway 19 centerline about 230 ft beyond the runway threshold, and the second was recovered from the safety area on the left side of the runway about 1,900 ft beyond the threshold. The left and right tension chains were not located. According to the airplane’s maintenance logbooks, the most recent annual inspection was completed 7 flight hours prior to the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:35 PST
Nearest AirportSan Gabriel Valley Airport (0nm N)
Runway19
Runway Length3995 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftStinson 108-3
Tail NumberN6855M
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMondo Beyondo Thrill Squadron
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsFranklin · 6A4-165-B3 · Reciprocating · 165
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 57 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 71 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility3 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point22 C / 14 C
Altimeter30.05 inHg
Observation Time18:48
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data