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 4, 1998 · Cessna C-336 · N3884U

Sheboygan, WI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 4, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Sheboygan, WI
Aircraft
Cessna C-336
Tail Number
N3884U
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI99LA002

The pilot reported that the aircraft porpoised during landing on Runway 13 at Sheboygan County Memorial Airport, Sheboygan, Wisconsin. He added that he was too fast on short final and focused on trying to flare and land without first stabilizing speed. He further stated that this resulted in inadvertent failure to trim nose up to landing attitude. The pilot reported that the landing started with a normal attitude, bounced, and then began to porpoise. The pilot stated that he did not know how to respond.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing.

Full Narrative

On October 4, 1998, at 1100 central daylight time, a Cessna 336, N3884U, owned and piloted by a private pilot, received substantial damage on impact with terrain during landing and overrun on Runway 13 (3,993 feet by 75 feet, asphalt/dry) at Sheboygan County Memorial Airport (SBM), Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated at Hunington Municipal Airport, Hunington, Indiana, at 0840, and was en route to SBM. In a written statement, the pilot reported the following, "...At SBM entered downwind for Runway 13. Wind was from 100 at 15 kts. Wx clear and dry. Due failure to compensate for the wind in the pattern, turn to final overshot centerline and I used up half of final getting lined up. Maintained 120 mph while turning back to centerline (normal approach is 100mph). Too fast on short final I extended full flaps (from 1/3) and focused on trying to flare and land without first stabilizing speed. This resulted in inadvertent failure to trim nose up to landing attitude. Landing started with normal attitude bounces ... stretched somewhat by excess speed. About when I expected it to stay down (presumably due to the failure to trim nose up) it instead began to porpoise. I didn't know how to respond to that (is there a gap in the training and safety literature regarding proposing? I can't recall ever seeing how to deal with it discussed or a warning that it gets worse rather than better if ignored). I did not respond to 2 small porpoise bounces, which were followed rapidly by a larger one, ... a catastrophic one which wiped out the nose gear and caused both front and rear props to strike the ground. I used a final, level attitude bounce to turn into the grass and the plane came to rest softly and quickly in the long matted grass. I received not so much as a bump. The aircraft was substantially damaged in lower front area." Advisory Circular 61-21A, Flight Training Handbook, under Bouncing During Touchdown, states, "When the airplane contacts the ground with a sharp impact as the result of an improper attitude or an improper attitude or an excessive sink rate, it tends to "bounce" back into the air. ... The severity of the "bounce" depends on the airspeed at the moment of contact and the degree to which the angle of attack or pitch attitude was increased. ... When a bounce is severe, the safest procedure is to EXECUTE A GO-AROUND IMMEDIATELY. No attempt to salvage the landing should be made. ... The go-around procedure should be continued even though the airplane may descend and another bounce may be encountered."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:00 CDT
Nearest AirportSheboygan County Memorial (0nm)
Runway13
Runway Length3993 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna C-336
Tail NumberN3884U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-360-A · Reciprocating · 210
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 58 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind100° @ 13 kt, gusting 20 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 3400 ft
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 45 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data