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 3, 2021 · Diamond Aircraft DA 40 · N489RS

Portsmouth, NH

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 3, 2021
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Portsmouth, NH
Aircraft
Diamond Aircraft DA 40 (2004)
Tail Number
N489RS
Operator
Avier Flight School
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA21LA099

After landing, the flight instructor assumed control of the airplane during the roll, taxied to the hold-short line at the approach end of the runway, and waited for landing traffic. Soon after, the pilot of the landing airplane announced over the tower radio frequency that the airplane holding short was “on fire.” The instructor confirmed that smoke was rising from beneath the right wing and both he and the pilot receiving instruction egressed the airplane without injury. Examination of video revealed fire emanating from the right main landing gear wheel and brake assembly, wheel pant, and involved the right wing, which was substantially damaged. Data downloaded from the airplane’s multifunction display revealed high groundspeeds during taxi after landing, and rapid decelerations consistent with hard braking actions before the airplane reached the hold short line. Postaccident examination revealed normal wear of the brake pads and no pre-accident mechanical anomalies. Examination of the fuel cell directly above the right main landing gear wheel and brake assembly revealed that it was intact with no leaks and contained about 15 gallons of fuel. Based on the available evidence, it is likely that the instructor’s high taxi speeds, which required multiple brake applications, resulted in the right brake assembly overheating and catching fire.

NTSB Probable Cause

The instructor’s multiple applications of the airplane’s brakes during high-speed taxi over a short duration, which overheated and ignited the right main landing gear wheel brake assembly.

Full Narrative

On January 3, 2021, about 1118 eastern standard time, a Diamond Aircraft DA 40, N489RS, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. After a short flight, the pilot performed a landing on runway 34. The instructor assumed control of the airplane during the roll, taxied to the hold-short line at the approach end of runway 34, and waited for landing traffic. Soon after, the pilot of the landing airplane announced over the tower radio frequency that the airplane holding short was “on fire.” The instructor confirmed that smoke was rising from beneath the right wing and both he and the pilot egressed the airplane without injury. Video recorded by the pilots before the arrival of aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) vehicles showed the right main landing gear tire, wheel pant, landing gear strut, and underside of the right wing in flames. ARFF arrived within 3 minutes of notification and extinguished the fire. The instructor reported that he noticed no anomalies with the performance and handling of the airplane during taxi. He stated that, throughout the taxi back to the hold-short line, the steering forces required and the braking power he experienced were “normal.” The removable SD card from the Garmin G1000 Multifunction Display was undamaged and was downloaded normally. A review of the recorded data revealed that, after landing, the airplane turned right at the first perpendicular taxiway (Bravo) and again turned right onto the parallel taxiway (Alpha). While on taxiway Alpha, the ground speed varied between about 22 and 27 knots. The ground speed indication was displayed to the flight crew. At the start of a right turn where Alpha taxiway turned 90° and intersected the approach end of runway 34, the ground speed was about 23 knots. The ground speed then decreased sharply several times, each time followed by several seconds of constant or slightly increasing ground speed until the data ended, as the airplane neared the hold short line for runway 34. The airplane was recovered to a maintenance facility and examined by a representative of the manufacturer under the supervision of a Federal Aviation Administration aviation safety inspector. Examination revealed normal wear of the brake pads and no pre-accident mechanical anomalies. Examination of the fuel tank directly above the right main landing gear wheel and brake assembly revealed that it was intact with no leaks and contained about 15 gallons of fuel.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:18 EST
Nearest AirportPortsmouth International (1nm N)
Runway34
Runway Length11322 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDiamond Aircraft DA 40
Tail NumberN489RS
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAvier Flight School
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · I0360 MIA · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 52 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 50 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind20° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point32 F / 25 F
Altimeter30.18 inHg
Observation Time11:26
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data