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

July 13, 1995 · Cessna 172P · N52139

Vashon, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 13, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Vashon, WA
Aircraft
Cessna 172P
Tail Number
N52139
Operator
Wings Aloft
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA95LA155

WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY MADE A LOUD SOUND, BEGAN TO SHAKE, THEN LOST POWER. THE PILOT INITIATED A FORCED LANDING TO AN OPEN FIELD. THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN, BOUNCED AND BECAME AIRBORNE BEFORE TOUCHING DOWN THE SECOND TIME. THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE AIRPLANE SLID TO A STOP. POST CRASH EXAMINATION REVEALED HOLES IN THE CRANKCASE. A TEARDOWN OF THE ENGINE FOUND THAT THE NUMBER THREE AND FOUR CONNECTING ROD CAP BOLTS SEPARATED. A METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE FRACTURED BOLTS REVEALED FEATURES CHARACTERISTIC OF A PROGRESSIVE OVERSTRESS. THE METALLURGICAL SPECIALIST REPORTED THAT THE SEPARATION MOST LIKELY OCCURRED DUE TO AN INADEQUATELY TORQUED NUT OR LOSS OF PRESTRESS OVER A PERIOD OF TIME.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO CONNECTING ROD BOLT OVERLOAD FAILURE. THE ROUGH, UNEVEN TERRAIN IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA WAS A FACTOR.

Full Narrative

On July 12, 1995, at 1900 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172P, N52139, collided with the terrain after the engine experienced a loss of power and the pilot initiated a forced landing to Vashon Island, Vashon, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the flight instructor and private pilot were not injured. The flight had originated from Seattle, Washington, on July 12, 1995, as an instructional flight. During telephone interviews and subsequent written statements, both pilots reported that while in cruise flight at 2,200 feet, the engine made a loud sound, began shaking, then quit. The flight instructor took over the controls while the private pilot secured the cockpit. The flight instructor stated that he initiated a forced landing to an open field. When the airplane touched down, it bounced and became airborne. When the airplane touched down the second time, the nosed gear collapsed and the airplane slid to a stop. Post crash inspection of the engine revealed holes in the top of the crankcase near the number three and four cylinders. After the engine was disassembled, it was found that the number three and four connecting rod cap bolts separated. Both connecting rod assemblies were sent to the National Transportation Safety Board, Materials Laboratory for a metallurgical examination. The specialist reported that "Stereo microscope examination of the fractured bolts revealed features characteristic of a progressive overstress." The specialist further reported that separation of the bolts most likely occurred due to an inadequately torqued nut or loss of prestress over a period of time. The aircraft maintenance logbooks indicate that the number four cylinder and connecting rod assembly had been worked on and signed off on 10/29/93, and had accumulated a total time of 1,066 hours at the time of the accident. The number two and three cylinders and connecting rod assemblies had been worked on and signed off on 6/8/94, and had accumulated a total time of 770 hours at the time of the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:00 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172P
Tail NumberN52139
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWings Aloft
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D2J · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 41 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data