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

February 18, 2023 · Titan Tornado II · N9168P

Windom, MN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 18, 2023
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Windom, MN
Aircraft
Titan Tornado II (2007)
Tail Number
N9168P
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN23LA110

The pilot stated that while taking off on a frozen lake with hard-packed snow, the right main landing gear separated from the airplane. He continued the takeoff and landed the airplane without further incident on a snow-covered lake near his home. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer due to impact from the right main landing gear. A metallurgical examination of the right main landing gear leg assembly revealed that bilateral fatigue cracks originated from the inner wall of a cross-drilled hole near the right gear leg socket. Eventually, overload and bending stresses in the direction of the fatigue cracks resulted in the right gear leg separating. It was unclear why the hole was drilled. There is an identical hole in the same spot on the left landing gear leg.

NTSB Probable Cause

The fatigue failure of the right landing gear leg that resulted in its separation from the airplane during takeoff.

Full Narrative

On February 18, 2023, about 1215 central standard time, a Titan Tornado II, N9168P, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Windom, Minnesota. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he departed Cloquet Airport (COQ) near Cloquet, Minnesota, and flew south to Fish Lake, near Windom, Minnesota, to attend an event. After the event was over, he taxied to an area of the lake where the “snow was hardpacked with no bumps, ruts, or [snow] chunks visible” to take off. After reaching rotation speed, the right main landing gear leg sheared off and struck the vertical stabilizer. The pilot was able to control the airplane with aileron and safely became airborne. The pilot flew back to COQ and advised Duluth Air Route Traffic Control Center that he was going to land on Big Lake, Minnesota, about five miles west of COQ, to prevent any further airplane damage from landing on asphalt. During the landing, he applied full left aileron input and touched down on the left main landing gear wheel first and then lowered the nosewheel. The right wing dropped and slid along the ice. He counteracted with left rudder, spun 90° to the right, and came to a full upright stop. Postaccident examination revealed that the airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer from the impact of the right gear leg after it separated from near the fuselage gear leg socket. An examination of the landing gear revealed that bilateral fatigue cracks originated from the inner wall of a cross-drilled hole near the right gear leg socket. Eventually, overload and bending stresses in the direction of the fatigue cracks resulted in the right gear leg separating. There was an identical hole drilled in each landing gear strut. The purpose of the hole is unknown. The pilot stated the hole was covered by a zip tie that was used to secure the brake line.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:15 CST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftTitan Tornado II
Tail NumberN9168P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 912 ULS · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 66 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point30 F / 21 F
Altimeter29.96 inHg
Observation Time12:15

Appendix: Source Data