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

October 12, 1997 · Cessna 172N · N734WT

Terre Haute, IN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 12, 1997
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Terre Haute, IN
Aircraft
Cessna 172N
Tail Number
N734WT
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI98LA014

Witnesses to the accident said that the prevailing winds at the airport were from the south at 12 to 15 miles per hour. They observed the airplane on final approach to runway 26. They said at about 50 feet above ground level the pilot initiated a go-around, but maintained a nose high attitude which continued until the airplane departed controlled flight, turned left and impacted the terrain. A weather reporting station seven miles to the southeast of the accident reported winds of 190 degrees at 15 knots gusting to 22 knots, 10 minutes after the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a go-around attempt which resulted in an inadvertent stall.

Full Narrative

On October 12, 1997, at 1220 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172N, N734WT, registered to Mills Aviation, Inc., of Terre Haute, Indiana, sustained substantial damage on impact with the terrain during a go around after an attempted landing on runway 26 (3,557' X 50' dry/asphalt), at Ski King Airport, near Terre Haute, Indiana. The private pilot and a passenger who was a student pilot received fatal injuries. A witness stated that the wind was from the south at the time of the accident. He said he heard the airplane engine power increase at about 50 feet above ground level. He said the airplane then pitched nose up until he could see the planform of the airplane prior to turning right and impacting the terrain. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight originated at Jeffersonville, Indiana, about 1130. During an interview with a pilot witness, he said that at the time of the accident he was standing in front of his office which is adjacent to the runway that the accident airplane was approaching. He said that the wind was, "... blowing somewhere between 12 to 15 miles an hour, mostly it was right out of the south, out of 180." He said that he observed the airplane on the final approach to runway 26, and watched it pass from his left to right, until ground impact. He first observed the airplane on its final approach. He said that it was, "... flying very slow and had full flaps on... ." He said that as the airplane passed his position, the passenger in the right front seat waved at him. He said that the, "... airplane was flying with the left wing in the high position, left wing up and the airplane was skidding sideways quite a bit and ... ," "it looked like he decided to attempt a go around." He said the airplane attained an altitude of about 150 to 200 feet above ground level. He said that the airplane then, "... stalled and spun to the left about a half turn and hit the ground... ." The witness said that , "...he came in real slow and actually had the airplane too slow for the conditions he was flying in and he never did recover from that slow actually that much slow flight." He said that, "... no mechanical problem with the aircraft." The NTSB form 6120.1/2 was submitted by Mills Aviation who are the owners of the accident airplane. The form indicates a total pilot time for the pilot-in-command of 100 hours. On an FAA application for his private pilot practical examination filled out by the same pilot dated August 26, 1997, he indicated a total pilot time of 67 hours. The pilot-in-command was the holder of a private pilot certificate. The passenger in the right seat was the holder of a student pilot certificate. A witness who knew the student said that he had accumulated flight time of about "... 12 to 15 hours," and had his student certificate endorsed for solo flight on October 10, 1997. A weather reporting station seven miles to the southeast of the accident was reporting winds of 190 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 22 knots, 10 minutes after the accident. An examination of the wreckage revealed no pre-accident anomalies. The flight and engine control continuity was verified. A post mortem examination was conducted on both occupants. In both cases there was no determination of pre-accident pathological impairment. In the case of the pilot, toxicological examination found the presence of Phenytoin, Ephedrine, Phenylpropanolamine, and Acetaminophen. According to medical personnel of the NTSB, these findings are indications of ingestion of medications used to control common cold symptoms, painkiller and fever-reduction. In the case of the student pilot/passenger, toxicological examination found the presence of Tetrahydrocannabinol, and Tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid. According to medical personnel of the NTSB, this finding is an indication of likely substance use within the previous four or five hours.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:20 EDT
Nearest AirportSKYKING (0nm)
Runway26
Runway Length3557 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172N
Tail NumberN734WT
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-H2AD · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 19 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind190° @ 15 kt, gusting 22 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 20000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:30
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data