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

August 1, 1997 · Cessna 172M · N80987

Milton, WV

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 1, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Milton, WV
Aircraft
Cessna 172M
Tail Number
N80987
Operator
Wade Hester
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC97LA156

The pilot stated that this was his first approach to a runway less than 100 feet wide. During the landing flare on the 40 foot wide runway, the airplane bounced several times, drifted to the left side of the runway, and struck a runway light. The pilot then aborted the landing and added nose-up pitch. The student pilot stated, 'I bled off all my airspeed and stalled the aircraft.'

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing.

Full Narrative

On August 1, 1997, approximately 1650 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N80987, was substantially damaged during an aborted landing at the Ona Airpark, Milton, West Virginia. The certificated student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the solo cross country flight that departed the Cincinnati Municipal-Lunken Field Airport, Cincinnati, Ohio. No flight plan was filed for the instructional flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. During a telephone interview, the student pilot stated this was his first approach to a runway less than 100 feet wide. Runway 7 at Ona Airpark was 40 feet wide. In the landing flare, the airplane began to drift to the left side of the runway. The student pilot was unable to make adequate correction for the drift because the control yoke was blocked by a knee board that held navigation materials. As the aircraft continued to drift farther to the left, full power was applied to initiate a go-around. During the climb out, the student pilot used his right hand to raise the flaps to 20 degrees and became pre-occupied that he could not use full right yoke. The student pilot then glanced out the windshield and saw a windsock, mounted on a 30-35 foot high telephone pole, in front of the airplane. The student pilot pulled back on the yoke to avoid the telephone pole then "...bled off all of the airspeed and stalled the aircraft." A Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, who interviewed the student pilot after the accident, stated that the airplane drifted off to the left side of the runway while landing, striking a runway light with the left main gear. The student pilot initiated a go-around, pitched the airplane to a very high angle of attack and continued to drift further to the left. As the student pilot started to retract the flaps, the airplane stalled, impacting the ground nose first. The airplane came to rest upright and a post crash fire was extinguished by airport personnel. A witness to the accident stated that he saw the airplane bounce several times then drift off to the left side of the runway, striking several runway lights as it started to head for a 20 foot high telephone pole that had a wind sock attached to it. The witness then heard the engine being "fire walled" and the airplane pitched straight up, stall, and impact the ground. A review of the student pilot's logbook revealed 28 hours of total flight experience; all in a Cessna 172. Attempts to have the pilot complete and return the required National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report form 6120.1/2 were unsuccessful. The pilot reported there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:50 EDT
Nearest AirportOna Airpark (0nm)
Runway7
Runway Length3160 ft
Runway Width40 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172M
Tail NumberN80987
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWade Hester
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 37 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data