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

July 22, 2024 · Lancair ES · N18BG

Oshkosh, WI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 22, 2024
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Oshkosh, WI
Aircraft
Lancair ES (2001)
Tail Number
N18BG
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CEN24FA277

On July 22, 2024, about 1212 central daylight time a Lancair ES, N18BG, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The pilot and pilot rated passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. According to a preliminary review of Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) data, the airplane departed Trenton Mercer Airport (TTN), Trenton, New Jersey, about 0704 and flew to Hartford Municipal Airport (HXF), Hartford, Wisconsin. The airplane departed HXF about 1145. A preliminary review of air traffic control recordings and ADS-B data illustrated that the airplane was on the Fisk arrival when the air traffic controller instructed the pilot to widen his turn for a L-29 and a L-39 that were landing in front of him. The pilot acknowledged “in sight” and then initiated a left turn. The pilot was then cleared to land on the yellow dot on runway 36L and he acknowledged the clearance. The airplane impacted a soybean field south of Road N, about 1.5 miles from the approach end of runway 36L. A postimpact fire ensued and destroyed the airplane. The airplane impacted on an approximate heading of 060° and came to rest on that same heading. The main wreckage included the fuselage, empennage, and both wings. An examination of the airplane revealed flight control continuity to both ailerons, the elevator, and the rudder. The airplane was recovered from the accident site and retained for further examination.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall while maneuvering for traffic spacing.

Full Narrative

HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn July 22, 2024, about 1213 central daylight time a Lancair ES, N18BG, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The pilot and pilot-rated passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. According to ADS-B data, the airplane departed Trenton-Mercer Airport (TTN), Trenton, New Jersey, about 0704 and flew to Hartford Municipal Airport (HXF), Hartford, Wisconsin. The airplane departed HXF about 1145. A review of air traffic control recordings and ADS-B data indicated that the airplane was on the Fisk arrival when the air traffic controller instructed the pilot to widen his turn for an Aero L-29 and an Aero L-39 that were landing ahead. The pilot acknowledged “in sight.” The pilot was then cleared to land on runway 36L, with instructions to land on or after the yellow dot, and he acknowledged the clearance. The ADS-B track data shows the airplane on an east heading, followed by a turn to the south, then back toward the east, and then toward the north. According to ADS-B data, the airplane was about 975 ft msl and 84 kts groundspeed when it began a turn to the north toward the airport. The last data point recorded from the airplane was about 975 ft msl and 70 kts ground speed, 1.5 miles from the approach end of the runway. The flight path for the L-39 passed to the east of and in front of the accident airplane. A review of ADS-B data for the accident airplane and a preceding Aero L-39, along with wake vortex modeling, was conducted. The L-39 turned onto final approach about 30 seconds before the accident airplane. At that time, the L-39 was descending through about 1,300 ft, while the accident airplane was about 1,000 ft. The accident airplane reached final approach about 20 seconds behind the L-39. Modeling indicated that the L-39 wake vortices, which descended about 300 ft per minute, would have remained above the accident airplane’s flight path. With the reported light and variable wind conditions, the vortices also would not have drifted laterally into the accident airplane’s path before impact. The airplane impacted a soybean field in an upright attitude south of County Road N, about 1.5 miles from the approach end of runway 36L. A postimpact fire ensued, which destroyed the airplane. AIRCRAFT INFORMATIONAccording to the airframe pilot operating handbook, the stall speed varies from 59 kts (flaps down, power on) to 74 kts (flaps up, power off) indicated airspeed at zero degrees of bank. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATIONWind at the time of the accident was recorded as light and variable at 4 kts. AIRPORT INFORMATIONAccording to the airframe pilot operating handbook, the stall speed varies from 59 kts (flaps down, power on) to 74 kts (flaps up, power off) indicated airspeed at zero degrees of bank. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATIONThe airplane impacted a soybean field about 1.5 miles south of the approach end of runway 36L. The airplane came to rest in an upright attitude on a heading of about 060°. Debris extended from the initial impact point to the main wreckage over a distance of about 35 ft. The entire airplane was accounted for at the accident site and was impacted and fire damaged. The wings remained attached, and both ailerons remained attached to their respective wings. Aileron flight control continuity was confirmed from each aileron inboard to the cabin flight control yoke. Both rudder cables remained attached at the rudder control horn and were continuous from the rudder inboard to respective rudder pedals. Elevator control continuity was confirmed through impact damage. The three-blade wooden propeller was splintered and separated. The upper bank of spark plugs was removed, and the engine was rotated through at the propeller. Engine continuity was confirmed through the entire powertrain. ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONAccording to FAA Order JO 7360.1E, both the Lancair ES and the Aero L39 are classified as a “Small” aircraft weight class and “Light” wake turbulence category. Air traffic controllers were not required to provide wake turbulence separation between the two landing airplanes. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATIONAn autopsy was conducted on the pilot by the Fond du Lac County Medical Examiner, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. The cause of death was “multiple injuries.” Toxicological testing of the pilot’s specimens was conducted by the FAA Office of Forensic Sciences, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The results were negative for all conducted tests.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:13 CDT
Nearest Airport2nm S
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftLancair ES
Tail NumberN18BG
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental Motors · IO-550 N (7) · Reciprocating
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 35 · Second Class · Fatal

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59 F
Altimeter30.05 inHg
Observation Time11:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data