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 15, 2022 · Flight Design Gmbh CTLS · N992SA

Hana, HI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 15, 2022
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Hana, HI
Aircraft
Flight Design Gmbh CTLS (2008)
Tail Number
N992SA
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC22LA012

The pilot and pilot-rated passenger completed several takeoffs and landings before departing to their destination. The pilot reported that, during the accident takeoff, the airplane “had no power to climb” and was “sinking.” The airplane descended into trees and impacted terrain in a near-vertical attitude just past the departure end of the runway. The pilot-rated passenger stated that the pilot pitched the airplane “higher than he needed” and “held the high pitch attitude” until the airplane descended into the trees, and pilot-rated witnesses reported that the airplane exhibited an “unusually high” nose-up pitch attitude during the takeoff. Postaccident examination of the engine and engine monitoring system data revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the engine. Given the passenger and witness statements regarding the airplane’s nose-high pitch attitude, it is likely that the pilot exceeded the airplane’s critical angle of attack during the initial climb after takeoff, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with terrain.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during the initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with terrain.

Full Narrative

On January 15, 2022, about 0955 Hawaii-Aleutian standard time, a Flight Design CTLS light sport airplane, N992SA, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Hana, Hawaii. The pilot sustained serious injuries, and the pilot-rated passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he and the passenger conducted several touch-and-go landings before departing to their destination. During the accident takeoff, the airplane performed normally until about 75 ft above ground level, when the pilot noted that the airplane had “no power to climb” and was “sinking.” The airplane descended into trees and impacted the ground in a near vertical attitude just past the departure end of the runway, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. Two pilot-rated witnesses reported that they heard no unusual sounds. The witnesses noticed that the airplane had an “unusually high” nose-up attitude during takeoff. The pilot-rated passenger reported that the pilot pitched the airplane “higher than he needed” and “held the high pitch attitude” until the airplane descended into the trees. A Dynon EMS-D120 engine monitoring system was removed from the airplane and sent for data download at the NTSB Recorders Laboratory. The flight data indicated that, about 40 seconds before impact, the engine RPM increased from idle to maximum RPM and maintained maximum engine RPM to the end of recording. A postaccident examination of the engine was conducted by an accident investigator from the engine manufacturer with oversight provided by an inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration. The examination revealed all spark plugs appeared normal with no anomalies, carburetor main jet was clear of obstruction and floats were within weight limitation. The fuel shut off was operational, and no obstructions observed in the fuel lines. All engine rocker arms, valves, valve springs were intact and operated normally. No anomalies seen with the exhaust system. Gearbox was in good condition and the propeller shaft rotated smoothly. Continuity was established with the crankshaft when the engine was rotated. Thumb compression was observed in all cylinders.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:55 HST
Nearest AirportHana Airport (1nm W)
Runway26
Runway Length3606 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftFlight Design Gmbh CTLS
Tail NumberN992SA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 912ULS SERIES · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 70 · None · Serious
Crew 2Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter30.04 inHg
Observation Time09:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data