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 11, 1995 · Piper PA-28-181 · N3071H

Lyons, WI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 11, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Lyons, WI
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-181
Tail Number
N3071H
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI95LA317

The pilot said he performed a go-around during his first landing approach due to being a '...little high and fast...'. During the second landing approach he said the airplane's airspeed was 79 KIAS and the airplane was descending at 500 fpm with 40 degrees of flaps extended. According to the airplane's pilot operating handbook, the final approach speed should have been 66 knots indicated airspeed. The pilot said the airplane floated down the runway and bounced two times after touching down. The pilot said he decided to go-around but was too late in his decision making process. He said he added full power but neglected to retract the flaps. The airplane ran off the end of the runway, colliding with trees and a berm before coming to a stop. The pilot said he normally does not fly into small airports. He said he always tries to fly into controlled airports that are served by instrument approaches. The runway the pilot was attempting to land on was 2,100 feet long and 50 feet wide.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's lack of experience in the type of operation being conducted, the pilot not maintaining the proper airspeed while on final approach to landing, and a delayed decision to abort the landing.

Full Narrative

On September 11, 1995, at 1540 central daylight time (cdt), a Piper PA-28-181, N3071H, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during a collision with trees and terrain during the initial phase of a go-around. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot and passenger reported no injuries. The flight departed West Chicago, Illinois, at 1430 cdt. The pilot's written statement on NTSB Form 6120.1/2 said the winds at an airport close to the accident airport were out of the south at five knots. He said he decided to use runway 18 (2,100' X 50' dry sod) at the Wag Aero Airport, Lyons, Wisconsin, after receiving the surface wind report. He said his first approach to the runway was, "...a little high and fast... ." He said he went around and made a second approach to the runway. The pilot said his second approach was flown at "...79 KIAS and [a] vertical speed [of] 500 FPM over the threshold." He said the airplane floated and bounced twice after touching down. According to the pilot, he was too late in his decision making process when he decided to go around. He added full power but neglected to retract the full flaps he had previously extended. During a telephone conversation with the pilot he said he normally does not fly into small airports. He always tries to fly into airports served by control towers and that have instrument approaches associated with them. He said he failed to use the correct final approach speed. He said he should have used 70 knots indicated airspeed (KIAS) instead of the 79 KIAS that he used. The pilot said N3071H's pilot's operating handbook (POH) states 66 KIAS should be used for a final approach speed. A review of the POH revealed the final approach speed for normal full flap landings should be 66 knots indicated airspeed (KIAS). The POH says that a short field landing is accomplished using full flaps and "...enough power to maintain the desired airspeed and approach flight path." The description of this type landing did not include an airspeed to be flown. The POH landing performance chart stated "Power off approach, 40 degrees flaps, 66 KIAS approach speed, full stall touch down, maximum braking... ."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:40 CDT
Nearest AirportWAGAERO (1nm S)
Runway18
Runway Length2100 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-181
Tail NumberN3071H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 63 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind140° @ 12 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 52
Altimeter0
Observation Time19:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data