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

February 20, 1998 · Cessna 152 · N5128Q

Norman, OK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 20, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Norman, OK
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N5128Q
Operator
Airman Flight School
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW98LA132

Three hours after beginning a solo cross country flight, the student pilot entered traffic for touch and go landings. On the second takeoff climb, at about 1,400 or 1,500 feet msl, the engine lost power. A forced landing was initiated to a road. The aircraft touched down towards the end of the road, and during the landing roll, the nose landing gear struck a curb and separated from the fuselage. Prior to preflight, the 76 hour student pilot called for the fuel truck. While he was in the airplane, the service person was on the ladder supposedly fueling the airplane. The service person got down from the ladder and told him the 'fuel was fine.' The student pilot did not verify the fuel level. The aircraft had been flown only one hour since it had been fueled two days prior. Examination of the fuel system revealed that it had not been compromised, and there was no usable fuel in either fuel tank. Both fuel gauges indicated zero. Five gallons of fuel was added to one of the fuel tanks and its corresponding fuel gauge indicated the proper amount of fuel.

NTSB Probable Cause

Fuel exhaustion due to the student pilot's failure to refuel. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

Full Narrative

On February 20, 1998, at 1506 central standard time, a Cessna 152 airplane, registered to Christiansen Aviation, Inc. DBA, and operated by Airman Flight School of Norman, Oklahoma, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Norman, Oklahoma. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan was filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 solo cross country flight. The student pilot was not injured. The flight originated from the University of Oklahoma Westheimer Airport, Norman, Oklahoma, about 3 hours prior to the accident. During a telephone interview conducted by the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that prior to preflighting the airplane he called for the fuel truck. During his preflight, he visually checked the fuel level. The fuel truck arrived and the service person added one quart of oil to the engine. While he was in the airplane, the service person was on the ladder supposedly fueling the airplane. The service person got down from the ladder and told him the "fuel was fine." The student pilot did not verify the fuel level. The 76 hour student pilot further reported that he departed Norman at about 1205, on a solo cross country flight to Gainesville, Texas. He did not land when he arrived at Gainesville. He also reported that he executed a 360 degree turn and returned to Norman. After arriving back at the University of Oklahoma Westheimer Airport, he entered traffic for touch and go landings. On the second takeoff climb, at about 1,400 or 1,500 feet msl, the engine lost power. He initiated a forced landing; however, due to traffic to his front, he turned right and landed on a road near its end. During the landing roll on the road, the nose landing gear struck a curb and separated from the fuselage. The operator reported that the aircraft had been fueled two days before the accident. Prior to the accident flight, the aircraft had been flown only one hour since being fueled. The operator further reported that there was no record of the airplane being fueled the day of the accident, only that one quart of oil was added to the airplane's engine. Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector revealed that the nose landing gear was separated, the firewall buckled, an engine mount fractured, and the propeller had sustained damage. Examination of the fuel system revealed that it had not been compromised, and there was no usable fuel in either fuel tank. Both fuel gauges indicated zero. Five gallons of fuel was added to one of the fuel tanks and its corresponding fuel gauge indicated the proper amount of fuel. Attempts to obtain a completed Pilot/Operator Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, were unsuccessful.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:06 CST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN5128Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAirman Flight School
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 110
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 18 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind280° @ 4 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time20:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data