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

May 15, 1994 · Piper PA-28R-200 · N56971

San Antonio, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 15, 1994
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
San Antonio, TX
Aircraft
Piper PA-28R-200
Tail Number
N56971
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW94LA157

AFTER SHOOTING AN ILS APPROACH AND BREAKING OUT, THE PILOT TERMINATED THE APPROACH AND PROCEEDED TO HIS HOME BASE AIR STRIP. HE STATED THAT HE ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE DURING THE APPROACH AND EN ROUTE TO THE STRIP, TO THE POINT THAT HE HAD DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING ALTITUDE. THERE WERE THUNDERSTORMS THROUGHOUT THE AREA. HE SAID THAT THE LAST THING THAT HE AND THE PASSENGER RECALLED ABOUT THE FLIGHT WAS BEING SET UP ON A RIGHT DOWNWIND FOR RUNWAY 16 WITH THE GEAR DOWN. HE STATED THAT THE NEXT THING HE REMEMBERED WAS BEING ON THE GROUND AND STOPPED. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE BELIEVED THAT HE ENCOUNTERED A MICROBURST THAT FORCED THE AIRPLANE DOWN.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT CONTINUED FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER. THE THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY WAS A FACTOR.

Full Narrative

On May 14, 1994, at 2304 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-200, N56971, was destroyed when it collided with the ground near San Antonio, Texas. The airplane, owned and operated by the commercial pilot, was on a personal cross country flight. An IFR flight plan was in effect and instrument meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot and the one passenger received serious injuries. The airplane was en route from Gulfport, Mississippi, to the San Antonio area. There were thunderstorms throughout the area and the pilot elected to initiate an ILS approach to runway 12L at the San Antonio International Airport. Once he had broken out of the overcast, on the approach, the pilot requested and was granted permission to divert to his home airport which was about 12 miles north of the international airport. The pilot stated that he had encountered turbulence during the approach and en route to the private strip. He said in his statement that he entered a right down wind for runway 16 and lowered the gear. He further stated that there was light rain, but, not "enough to hinder visibility. The next thing I remembered was being on the ground and stopped. I do not remember touching down or landing. Neither did Seaman (the passenger)." The pilot, who submitted a written statement, but failed to submit a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, stated that he believed he encountered a microburst that forced the airplane down.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time23:04 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28R-200
Tail NumberN56971
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-C1C · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 66 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind120° @ 6 kt
Visibility4 sm
CeilingOvercast 900 ft
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time03:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data