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 25, 1994 · Cessna 170A · N5583C

Nikiski, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 25, 1994
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Nikiski, AK
Aircraft
Cessna 170A
Tail Number
N5583C
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW94LA310

THE COMMERCIAL PILOT AND THE AIRLINE TRANSPORT RATED INSTRUCTOR PILOT WERE ON A LOCAL PRACTICE CIVIL AIR PATROL FLIGHT WHEN THE PILOT DECIDED TO EXECUTE A PRACTICE FORCED LANDING TO A NEARBY 4,000 FOOT PRIVATE STRIP. AS HE TURNED FINAL, THE PILOT SAW THAT HE WAS HIGH AND SLIPPED THE AIRPLANE DOWN TO ABOUT 400 FEET AGL. THE CHECK PILOT STATED THAT AT THAT TIME, HE FELT THAT THE PILOT WAS IN 'PERFECT' POSITION FOR LANDING ABOUT 200 FEET BEYOND THE THRESHOLD AND THEN DIVERTED HIS ATTENTION AWAY FROM THE APPROACH. THE PILOT SAID HE ENTERED A SECOND SLIP ON SHORT FINAL TO DISSIPATE EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED AND 'LANDED SHORT OF RUNWAY.' THE CHECK PILOT SENSED THE SECOND SLIP, SAW THE AIRPLANE WAS LOW, AND CALLED FOR A GO-AROUND JUST PRIOR TO IMPACT. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED AN UP SLOPE 25 FEET SHORT OF THE RUNWAY.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER DESCENT RATE. A FACTOR WAS THE CHECK PILOT'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION.

Full Narrative

On September 24, 1994, approximately 1700 Alaska daylight time, a Cessna 170A, N5583C, was destroyed during landing at a private strip near Nikiski, Alaska. The airplane, owned by the commercial pilot, was on a local civil air patrol check flight with an airline transport rated instructor pilot in the right seat. There was a company VFR flight plan in effect and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. Both the check pilot and the commercial pilot/owner received minor injuries. According to information provided by the crew, they departed Kenai, Alaska, at about 1620 on a local area practice flight. After completing the air work, the commercial pilot decided to execute a practice forced landing at a nearby 4,000 foot private strip. He set up on a left downwind at 2,500 feet and cut the power. The check pilot stated that as the airplane turned final it was apparent to the pilot that he was high and he elected to slip the airplane down to about 400 feet AGL. When the pilot terminated the slip, it seemed to the check pilot that his altitude and airspeed were "perfect" for touchdown about 200 feet beyond the threshold. The check pilot then diverted his attention to other things outside the airplane. The pilot stated that on short final he entered a second slip to dissipate excessive airspeed and "landed short of runway." The check pilot said he sensed the second slip and he noticed that the airplane was low. He called for a go around immediately before impact. The airplane impacted an embankment that sloped up to the runway about 25 feet short of the threshold.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:00 AKDT
Nearest AirportMcgahan'S Private Strip (0nm)
Runway6
Runway Length4000 ft
Runway Width200 ft
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 170A
Tail NumberN5583C
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-B3B · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2

People & Injuries

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

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 48
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data