Overall Trends
Total, fatal, and serious accidents in the selected range.
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
Search everything
Fast key and full-text search with live filters, watches, and precise metadata.
Use quotes for exact phrase matches (for example "fuel selector valve").
Featured 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…
High-signal investigations
Major cases, deep-report coverage, and investigation media across decades of NTSB history.
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 manufacturersAirports
More airportsOperators
More operatorsAbout
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
November 24, 1996 · Cessna 172N · N739ZA
Olive Branch, MS
Overview
Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 24, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Olive Branch, MS
Aircraft
Cessna 172N
Tail Number
N739ZA
Operator
Douglas Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA97LA030
The student pilot stated that after making an approach to runway 18, '. . . the airplane ballooned on the landing and I could not keep it on the ground . . . .' The airplane then touched down hard and was damaged. The wind was reported to be from 170 degrees at 15 gusting 17 knots.
NTSB Probable Cause
the pilot's improper flare and improper recovery from a ballooned/bounced landing. The gusty wind was a related factor.
Full Narrative
On November 24, 1996, about 1300 central standard time, a Cessna 172N, N739ZA, registered to Wings, Inc., was damaged during a hard landing at Olive Branch Airport, Olive Branch, Mississippi, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the student pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Olive Branch, the same day, about 1200. The pilot stated he was performing takeoffs and landings. On the last landing the aircraft "ballooned" and then landed hard at which time the aircraft was damaged. The pilot stated he had no mechanical problems with the aircraft.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:00 CST
Nearest AirportOlive Branch (0nm)
Runway18
Runway Length6000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172N
Tail NumberN739ZA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDouglas Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-H2AD · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 26 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 15 kt, gusting 17 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time18:53
Weather SourceWFAC