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

June 3, 2023 · Champion 7KCAB · N5068X

Rutherfordton, NC

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 3, 2023
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Rutherfordton, NC
Aircraft
Champion 7KCAB (1968)
Tail Number
N5068X
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN23LA230

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported he was performing a 3-point landing with a right 90° crosswind. During the landing, the tailwheel began to "shimmy." The pilot applied forward control stick pressure to reduce weight on the tailwheel and attempt to alleviate the shimmy but did not have enough airspeed to lift the tail and correct the shimmy. The pilot reported that as airspeed decayed, he applied full “aft stick” and full left rudder, but the airplane continued to drift to the right. In an attempt to prevent a runway excursion, the pilot applied the wheel brakes and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder and damage to the propeller, spinner and cowling. The pilot reported that postaccident examination of the tailwheel locking mechanism revealed that it was worn and would not lock to the right. Loose tail wheel attachment hardware was also noted. The condition of the tailwheel should have been checked during the last annual inspection; however, it is possible that the locking mechanism could have worn further during the 7 months between the most recent inspection and the accident flight. At the time of the accident the airplane was landing on runway 01 with wind 060° at 8 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The disengagement of the tailwheel locking mechanism during the landing roll which resulted in a loss of directional control during landing with a crosswind.

Full Narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported he was performing a 3-point landing with a right 90° crosswind. During the landing, the tailwheel began to "shimmy." The pilot applied forward control stick pressure to reduce weight on the tailwheel and attempt to alleviate the shimmy but did not have enough airspeed to lift the tail and correct the shimmy. The pilot reported that as airspeed decayed, he applied full “aft stick” and full left rudder, but the airplane continued to drift to the right. In an attempt to prevent a runway excursion, the pilot applied the wheel brakes and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder and damage to the propeller, spinner and cowling. The pilot reported that postaccident examination of the tailwheel locking mechanism revealed that it was worn and would not lock to the right. Loose tail wheel attachment hardware was also noted. The condition of the tailwheel should have been checked during the last annual inspection; however, it is possible that the locking mechanism could have worn further during the 7 months between the most recent inspection and the accident flight. At the time of the accident the airplane was landing on runway 01 with wind 060° at 8 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:00 EDT
Nearest AirportRutherford County/Marchman Fld (0nm S)
Runway1
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftChampion 7KCAB
Tail NumberN5068X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-320-E2A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

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

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind100° @ 11 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 F
Altimeter29.89 inHg
Observation Time13:05
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data