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

May 31, 1996 · Cessna 140 · N72344

Puyallup, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 31, 1996
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Puyallup, WA
Aircraft
Cessna 140
Tail Number
N72344
Operator
Trudith a Kong
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA96LA105

The pilot reported that during a landing attempt, the airplane bounced hard two times, and she decided to go around. She reported that in the go-around attempt, she retracted the flaps from full down to full up and added power. The aircraft then veered left and crashed in scotch broom to the left of the runway.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, and failure to maintain runway alignment during a go-around. The pilot's improper flare for landing was a related factor.

Full Narrative

On May 31, 1996, at approximately 1130 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 140, N72344, sustained substantial damage during an attempted go-around after bouncing during landing on runway 16 at Pierce County-Thun Field, Puyallup, Washington. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR 91 flight from Auburn, Washington. The pilot reported: "...I bounced quite hard, bounced quite hard a second time and decided to go around. I gave full throttle and shot off towards the trees to the side. The next thing I knew, I was in the trees." An FAA inspector who responded to the scene reported that the pilot bounced twice on landing before the aircraft veered left off the runway and went into an area of "scotch broom." The inspector reported that the pilot told her she had retracted the flaps from full down to full up and added power immediately prior to the loss of control. The FAA inspector also reported that the aircraft's carburetor heat control was in the "on" position. Puyallup runway 16 is 3,650 feet long and 60 feet wide. Winds at McChord Air Force Base, 8 nautical miles west of Thun Field, were reported from 260 degrees magnetic at 4 knots at 1155.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:30 PDT
Nearest AirportPierce County-Thun Field (0nm)
Runway16
Runway Length3650 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 140
Tail NumberN72344
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorTrudith a Kong
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200-A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 41 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 4 kt
Visibility35 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 39 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data