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 20, 2023 · World Aircraft WA-3 · N71SN

Shreveport, LA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 20, 2023
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Shreveport, LA
Aircraft
World Aircraft WA-3 (2014)
Tail Number
N71SN
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN23LA087

When the experimental airplane was on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, abeam the numbers, the engine started to run rough and vibrate. The pilot added power and the engine smoothed out. The pilot ensured the backup electric fuel pump was in the “on” position and turned the airplane to land on the runway. While on short final, the pilot reduced power and received a low rpm warning from his avionics. When he increased the throttle, the engine stopped producing power. A high sink rate developed, and the airplane landed hard on the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to the empennage. Postaccident examination of the airplane and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane was operating in an area conducive to the formation of serious carburetor icing at glide power settings. The airplane was fueled with 93-octane automotive fuel which could make carburetor icing more likely. The airplane was not equipped with a carburetor temperature gauge or a carburetor heat control, nor were they required.

NTSB Probable Cause

Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Temp/humidity/pressure-Conducive to carburetor icing-Effect on equipment

Full Narrative

On January 20, 2023, about 1634 central standard time, an experimental World Aircraft Company WA-3 light sport airplane, N71SN, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Shreveport, Louisiana. The pilot was not injured. The flight operated under the provisions of the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. The pilot reported that he departed for takeoff on runway 14 following a normal engine runup. He remained in the traffic pattern and when the airplane was on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, abeam the numbers, the engine started to run rough and vibrate. The pilot added power and the engine smoothed out. The pilot ensured the backup electric fuel pump was in the on position and he turned the airplane to land on runway 14. While on short final, the pilot reduced power and received a low rpm warning from his avionics. When he increased the throttle, the engine stopped producing power. A high sink rate developed, and the airplane landed hard on the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to the empennage. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. A review of the Carburetor Icing Probability Chart located in the FAA’s Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35, Carburetor Icing Prevention, dated June 30, 2009, found that the airplane was operating in an area conducive to the formation of serious icing at glide power settings and close to the area of serious icing at cruise power. The airplane was fueled with 93-octane automotive fuel which, as noted below, could make carburetor icing more likely. Additionally, the airplane was not equipped with a carburetor temperature gauge or a carburetor heat control, nor was it required to be by the FAA. Figure 1. Carburetor Icing Probability Chart According to Transport Canada TP 10737 (Use of Automotive Gasoline [Mogas] in Aviation), Mogas is generally higher in volatility than Avgas and will thus absorb more heat from the mixing air when vaporizing, resulting in ice accumulation at higher ambient temperatures. It goes on to say that “the likelihood of carb icing while flying on Mogas is higher,” and advises that, “[a]lthough the severity of the carb icing and the methods to deal with it are similar for both Avgas and Mogas, its ONSET is likely to occur at HIGHER AMBIENT TEMPERATURES and at LOWER HUMIDITY with Mogas. In other words, conditions under which a pilot may feel there is only a slight risk for carb icing on Avgas may in fact be ideal for the formation of ice while using more volatile Mogas. This will result in the need to select ‘carb heat on’ in less severe icing conditions and for a longer duration while using Mogas.”

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:34 CST
Nearest AirportShreveport Downtown (0nm NW)
Runway14
Runway Length5016 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftWorld Aircraft WA-3
Tail NumberN71SN
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 912ULS · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 60 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind130° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 9000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point54 F / 36 F
Altimeter30.23 inHg
Observation Time16:36
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data