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

April 12, 1996 · Cessna 150L · N16188

Akron, OH

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 12, 1996
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Akron, OH
Aircraft
Cessna 150L
Tail Number
N16188
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
IAD96LA060

The pilot indicated that shortly after takeoff, as the airplane climbed through about 400 feet agl, the engine lost power completely. The pilot turned back to the airport, and received ATC clearance to return to land on the departure runway. Because the airplane was losing altitude, and he did not believe he would be able to reach the departure runway, the pilot requested clearance to land in the opposite direction on the departure runway. ATC denied the request, citing conflicting traffic, so the pilot attempted to land on a grassy area on the airport. The airplane touched down and continued down an embankment, then nosed over. Postaccident examination revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction which would have resulted in the loss of engine power.

NTSB Probable Cause

a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.

Full Narrative

On April 12, 1996, at about 1123 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150L, N16188, piloted by the registered owner, collided with terrain during a forced landing when the engine lost power during the takeoff/initial climb at Akron-Canton Regional Airport, in Akron, Ohio. The commercial pilot and the one passenger received minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, no flight plan was filed. The local flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91, and originated from Akron, Ohio, approximately 1120 eastern daylight time. According to the pilot, everything about the airplane appeared normal during his preflight inspection, the engine start and engine run-up. He reported that he departed on runway 23, and when the airplane reached an altitude of about 400 feet mean sea level (msl) he began a right turn to a heading of 260 degrees, as requested by the Akron-Canton air traffic control (ATC) personnel. The pilot indicated that as he began the turn, the engine "...lost power all of a sudden." When he noted the power loss, the pilot made a left turn to return to the airport, and advised ATC of the problem. ATC instructed the pilot to enter the downwind leg for runway 23, but the pilot did not feel that the airplane had sufficient altitude to make it back to runway 23. He requested permission to land on runway 5, which ATC denied, citing conflicting traffic. The pilot indicated that the airplane was losing altitude, so he decided to land on a grassy field located east of the airport terminal building. ATC subsequently cleared the pilot to land on any runway, but the pilot was "...past the point of no return..." and continued the forced landing on the grassy field. The airplane touched down, crossed a parking lot access road, and continued down an embankment before it nosed over on the grass. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, postaccident examination of the airplane and engine revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction which would result in a complete loss of engine power. FAA Inspector's statements are appended.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:23 EDT
Nearest AirportAkron-Canton Regional (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 150L
Tail NumberN16188
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200-A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 72 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 13 kt, gusting 20 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 48
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time15:42
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data