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 31, 1994 · Cessna 182 · N21106

Watsonville, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 31, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Watsonville, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 182
Tail Number
N21106
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX94LA109

THE PILOT FAILED TO REMOVE THE PITOT TUBE COVER BEFORE DEPARTING ON THE DARK NIGHT ACCIDENT FLIGHT. THE PILOT NOTICED THAT THE AIRSPEED WAS NOT REGISTERING UNTIL THE AIRPLANE WAS NEAR THE END OF THE RUNWAY. TIRE SKID MARKS BEGAN 1,042 FEET BEFORE THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE EXITED THE RUNWAY AND THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED WHEN IT ENTERED THE SOFT CLAY TERRAIN. THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER ONTO ITS BACK.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION BY FAILING TO REMOVE THE PITOT TUBE COVER AND DELAY IN HIS REMEDIAL ACTION BY NOT BEGINNING TO STOP THE AIRPLANE UNTIL IT WAS ABOUT 1,000 FEET BEFORE THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE SOFT TERRAIN AND THE COLLAPSED NOSE LANDING GEAR ARE FACTORS IN THIS ACCIDENT.

Full Narrative

On January 30, 1994, at 1820 hours Pacific standard time, a Cessna 182, N21106, overran runway 20 and nosed over during the takeoff roll at Watsonville Airport (WVI), Watsonville, California. The pilot was beginning a night visual flight rules personal flight to San Martin Airport (Q99), San Martin, California. The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. Neither the certificated private pilot nor his passenger was injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot reported in a telephone interview conducted on January 31, 1994, that the airspeed did not register during the takeoff roll and he elected to abort the takeoff. However, the remaining runway was insufficient to stop the airplane on the runway environment. The airplane exited the departure end of the runway. The nose gear collapsed when the airplane entered the soft clay terrain and the airplane nosed over onto its back. The pilot further said that the engine was producing the required takeoff power. His post accident inspection of the airplane revealed that he did not remove the pitot tube cover during the preflight inspection. In addition, the pilot submitted the required Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2. He reiterated his telephone statement in the report. He added, however, that he began to abort the takeoff with about 3,800 feet of runway remaining. Mr. James Friel, principal operations inspector, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), San Jose [California] Flight Standards District Office, conducted the on-scene investigation. Inspector Friel reported that the airplane's tire skid marks began about 1,042 feet before the end of the runway. The pilot also told him that he did not remove the pitot tube cover before departing.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:20 PST
Nearest AirportWatsonville Municipal (0nm)
Runway20
Runway Length4501 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 182
Tail NumberN21106
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470-R · Reciprocating · 230
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 57 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind200° @ 3 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data