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 9, 1997 · Cessna 172N · N739AH

Annapolis, MD

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 9, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Annapolis, MD
Aircraft
Cessna 172N
Tail Number
N739AH
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
IAD97LA063

The flight instructor was briefed the winds in the local area were about 13 knots with gusts up to 21 knots. The instructor and student pilot then departed on a training flight. On short final for his third landing, the student had 65 knots on the airspeed indicator, 30 degrees of flaps set, and the carburetor heat on. As the student flared the airplane, a gust of wind lifted the right wing, and the instructor took control of the airplane. The instructor was unable to align the airplane with the runway. He added full power, did not touch the flaps or carburetor heat, and executed a go around. When the instructor added power, the nose of the airplane pulled more to the left, and the ground track was in line with two hangars. He avoided the hangars, but was heading for a small field. Unable to maintain level flight, and in an attempt to gain airspeed, the flight instructor lowered the nose of the airplane. The airplane continued to descend, and the flight instructor stated that 'he flared as much as possible to soften the touchdown (impact).' According to information manual for the aircraft, 'In a balked landing (go around) climb, reduce the flap setting to 20 degrees immediately after full power is applied. If obstacles must be cleared during the go-around climb, reduce the wing flap setting to 10 degrees and maintain a safe airspeed until the obstacles are cleared...after clearing any obstacles, the flaps may be retracted as the airplane accelerates to the normal flaps-up climb speed.'

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to raise the flaps during the go-around. Factors involved were the high wind conditions and the pilot's failure to remove the carburetor heat.

Full Narrative

On April 9, 1997, about 0812 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172N, N739AH, was substantially damaged as it impacted the terrain after a go around at the Lee Airport, Annapolis, Maryland. The certificated flight instructor and student pilot were uninjured. The airplane was registered to the Fort Meade Flying Activity and owned by Fort Meade's Morale, Welfare and Recreation. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed for the instructional flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The flight instructor stated that he received a weather briefing from the local flight service for two local airports, which were reporting winds of about 13 knots, and gusts up to 21 knots. He stated that the winds at Lee Airport were about 12 to 15 knots from 320 degrees magnetic. The flight instructor reported that the student pilot completed two takeoffs and landings from runway 30, without encountering any turbulence. He stated that the student was established on the glide slope for the third landing with 65 knots airspeed, 30 degrees flaps, and on centerline. With the runway made, the student reduced the power and began to flare the airplane. The flight instructor reported the right wing lifted dramatically and he immediately took control of the airplane. Unable to keep the airplane parallel to the runway, the flight instructor stated that he added full power. He reported that he did not raise the flaps, nor did he turn off the carburetor heat. He stated that the nose of the airplane pulled more to the left, and the airplane's ground track was in line with two small hangers. The airplane climbed about 100 feet and cleared the hangars, but was heading for a small field bordered by large trees and houses. Unable to maintain level flight at full power, the flight instructor stated that he lowered the nose slightly in an attempt to gain airspeed. The airplane continued to descend and the flight instructor reported that he flared as much as possible to soften the touchdown. An examination of the wreckage was completed by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector. He reported that the nose and left main landing gear collapsed. The left wing and stabilizer spars were damaged, and the engine firewall and the cabin structure forward of the left wing strut attaching point were buckled. The flight instructor reported that most of his flight experience was in rotorcraft and he recently obtained his airplane flight instructor rating. The flight instructor had a total of 18 hours as a flight instructor, 5.8 hours were in make and model airplane. The Cessna model 172N Information Manual stated, "In a balked landing (go around) climb, reduce the flap setting to 20 degrees immediately after full power is applied. If obstacles must be cleared during the go-around climb, reduce the wing flap setting to 10 degrees and maintain a safe airspeed until the obstacles are cleared...after clearing any obstacles, the flaps may be retracted as the airplane accelerates to the normal flaps-up climb speed."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:12 EDT
Nearest AirportAnnapolis (0nm)
Runway30
Runway Length2505 ft
Runway Width48 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172N
Tail NumberN739AH
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
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 51 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 15 kt, gusting 23 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point34 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time12:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data