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

December 21, 1994 · Cessna 172 · N7656X

Allegan, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 21, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Allegan, MI
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N7656X
Operator
Plainwell Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI95LA055

THE CFI REPORTED THE FLIGHT STARTED AS A DUAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT, DURING WHICH THE STUDENT PILOT PRACTICED TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS. THE CFI STATED THE STUDENT PILOT'S PERFORMANCE WAS SATISFACTORY, SO HE AUTHORIZED AN INITIAL SUPERVISED SOLO FLIGHT. THE INSTRUCTOR OBSERVED THE STUDENT PILOT'S LANDINGS FROM THE RAMP. HE STATED THE FIRST TWO LANDINGS WERE NORMAL AND SMOOTH. THE STUDENT REPORTED THAT DURING THE THIRD LANDING FLARE THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO DRIFT TO THE LEFT, AND HE DID NOT APPLY SUFFICIENT CONTROL INPUT TO STOP THE DRIFT. THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN WITH THE LEFT MAIN OFF THE RUNWAY, STRUCK A SNOWBANK AND NOSED OVER. THE STUDENT PILOT HAD ABOUT 18 HOURS TOTAL FLIGHT TIME.

NTSB Probable Cause

the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control which resulted in the inability to obtain proper runway alignment. Related factors are the student pilot's lack of total flight experience and the snowbank.

Full Narrative

On December 21, 1994, about 1600 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172, N7656X, operated by a student pilot on a solo instructional flight, veered off the left side of the runway and collided with a snowbank after landing at Allegan, Michigan. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The student pilot, the sole occupant, reported no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, no flight plan was filed. The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91, and originated from Allegan, Michigan, approximately 1555. The flight began as a dual instructional flight for the purpose of practicing takeoffs and landings. The student pilot and the Certificated Fight Instructor (CFI) departed their home base airport in Plainwell, Michigan, and flew to Allegan to perform touch and go landings. The CFI stated there was a light (6 to 8 knots) crosswind for Runway 10 at Allegan. He reported the student pilot performed satisfactory touch and go landings for about one hour before the CFI authorized his first supervised solo flight. The student pilot was instructed to perform three takeoffs and landings to a full stop, then taxi back to the ramp area where the CFI waited. The CFI stated the student pilot's first two landings appeared normal and smooth. The student pilot reported during the third landing flare the airplane began to drift to the left. He stated he did not apply sufficient control input to stop the drift and the airplane touched down with the left landing gear off the left side of the runway. The airplane struck a snowbank on the left side of the runway and nosed over. The student pilot had approximately 18 hours total flight time.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 EST
Nearest AirportPadgham Field (0nm)
Runway10
Runway Length3500 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN7656X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPlainwell Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300 · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 28 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind120° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point39 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data