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

September 19, 1994 · Cessna 150 · N9135U

North Hedrick, IA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 19, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
North Hedrick, IA
Aircraft
Cessna 150
Tail Number
N9135U
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI94LA343

THE STUDENT PILOT SAID HE WAS PRACTICING SLOW FLIGHT WHEN HE NOTICED ENGINE ROUGHNESS AND A PARTIAL POWER LOSS. AFTER LANDING IN A FIELD NEAR HIS GRANDPARENT'S HOME, HE SAID THE ENGINE ROUGHNESS WENT AWAY. THE PILOT SAID HE ATTEMPTED A TAKEOFF FROM THE FIELD BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. HE SAID HE TRIED TO TAKEOFF ON A DIRT ROAD THAT WAS ABOUT 15 TO 20 FEET WIDE. DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL THE AIRPLANE'S LEFT WING STRUCK AN EMBANKMENT, YAWING THE AIRPLANE INTO A DITCH ON THE ROAD'S EDGE. THE EMBANKMENTS WERE ABOUT 10 FEET HIGH, AND 30 TO 35 FEET APART ACCORDING TO THE PILOT. THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE'S WING SPAN IS 33 FEET 4 INCHES.

NTSB Probable Cause

INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND THE SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ON WHICH TO INITIATE A TAKEOFF. A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF OVERALL EXPERIENCE.

Full Narrative

On September 19, 1994, at 1200 central daylight time, a Cessna 150, N9135U, registered to the Ottumwa Flying Service, Ottumwa, Iowa, and piloted by a student pilot, was substantially damaged when it collided with an embankment next to a dirt road that it was taking off from. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated from a dirt road about five miles north of North Hedrick, Iowa, at 1200 CDT. During an interview the pilot said he was practicing slow flight when the engine began to run rough. He said he landed the airplane in a field near his grandparent's home. He said the engine roughness went away after he landed and that he decided to takeoff on a dirt road next to the field. The pilot said the airplane ground looped during the takeoff roll. He said the road was between 15 and 20 feet wide with embankments about 10 feet high bordering both sides of the road. The pilot said the distance between the embankments was 30 to 35 feet. The airplane's wingspan was 33 feet 4 inches according to the pilot operating handbook. The owner of N9135U and the flying service operating the airplane submitted a partially completed NTSB Form 6120.1/2 that the pilot had given him. The owner said the pilot had told him he tried to takeoff from the field he landed on. He said the pilot had told him the takeoff did not work and that he then tried the road. The owner said the pilot's grandparents and uncle own the property on either side of the road. The chief flight instructor for the flying service gave a written statement regarding the events associated with the accident. He said that N9135U's takeoff roll was about 400 to 500 feet long before its left wingtip struck the embankment next to the road. He said the takeoff was uphill on a dirt road and that the airplane ended up in a ditch on the road's south side. The instructor said he questioned the student regarding many tracks found in the field. He said the student told him that he tried to takeoff from the field but was unsuccessful and decided to try the dirt road. The airplane's flaps were extended 40 degrees. The pilot did not submit a NTSB Form 6120.1/2. He stated that he had given the form to the airplane owner's mechanics to fill out and that they lost it. A second copy of the form was sent to the pilot by the Fedral Aviation Administration. That form was not returned to the FAA representative.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 150
Tail NumberN9135U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200 · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 18 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 5 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time17:00
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data