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

December 12, 2023 · Vans RV6 A · N113DT

Searcy, AR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 12, 2023
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Searcy, AR
Aircraft
Vans RV6 A (2002)
Tail Number
N113DT
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN24LA066

The pilot reported that after he had landed the airplane, the pilot-rated passenger requested to take the flight controls and fly the airplane around the traffic pattern. The pilot agreed. The pilot stated that the night flight in the traffic pattern was satisfactory, but when the passenger turned onto the final approach, they were low and slow. The pilot told the passenger to perform a go-around and he applied full throttle, but the left wing and left tire contacted the runway. The pilot reported that the passenger pulled back on the yoke and the airplane bounced back into the air. The airplane impacted the precision approach path indicator (PAPI) lights, stalled, impacted the ground on the main landing gear, skidded about 20 ft, and flipped over. The passenger stated that he does not recall flying the airplane and his last memory is of the ambulance ride to the hospital. The vertical stabilizer and left-wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or the engine that would have precluded normal operation. The postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no preimpact anomalies. Based on the pilot’s statement, it is likely that the passenger failed to maintain control during the landing.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained

Full Narrative

On December 11, 2023, about 1850 central standard time, a Van’s Aircraft RV-6A, N113DT, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at the Searcy Municipal Airport (SRC) in Searcy, Arkansas. The pilot and pilot-rated passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 flight test. The pilot-rated passenger, who was also an airframe and powerplant mechanic with inspection authorization, reported that the pilot requested that he accompany him on a flight test after the No. 1 cylinder was replaced. The passenger reported that the engine run-up was uneventful except for a brief “stumble” when switching the magnetos to the electronic magnetos. The pilot assured him that the engine response was normal. The pilot reported that they departed runway 19 at SRC and flew to Woodruff County Airport (M60) in Augusta, Arkansas. The passenger stated that the airplane performed unremarkably during the flight to M60 except for a brief stumble in rpm when the throttle was retarded to 1,500 rpm. After performing one landing at M60, they returned to SRC. The pilot reported that he performed two landings at SRC. After the second landing he intended to taxi the airplane to the parking area, but the passenger asked if he could take the airplane around the traffic pattern. The pilot agreed. The pilot stated that the flight in the traffic pattern was satisfactory, but when the passenger turned onto final approach, they were too low and slow. The pilot told him to perform a go-around. The passenger pushed the throttle all the way forward and the nose of the airplane yawed to the left. The left wingtip and left tire contacted the runway. The passenger pulled back on the yoke and the airplane bounced back into the air. The left wing impacted the precision approach path indicator (PAPI) lights. The pilot told the passenger to land the airplane, but the passenger told him that he could save it. The pilot reported that the airplane stalled, impacted the ground on the main landing gear, skidded about 20 ft, and flipped over. The airplane came to rest inverted in a field next to the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and vertical stabilizer. The passenger reported that he does not remember flying the airplane. He stated that his last memory before the ambulance ride was flying back to SRC from M60. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or the engine that would have precluded normal operation. The postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no preimpact anomalies.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:50 CST
Nearest AirportSearcy Municipal Airport (0nm)
Runway01
Runway Length6008 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftVans RV6 A
Tail NumberN113DT
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320E3D · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 52 · Basc · Minor
Crew 2Age 38 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightNight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point39 F / 28 F
Altimeter30.28 inHg
Observation Time18:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data