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, 1998 · Cessna 172N · N6486J

Buhl, ID

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 12, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Buhl, ID
Aircraft
Cessna 172N
Tail Number
N6486J
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA99LA002

During the landing flare, the aircraft ballooned upward and the student pilot added power to regain control. The aircraft then drifted to the north side of the runway so the pilot elected to make a go-around. Full power was added and the flaps were raised from full (40 degrees) to zero. The stall warning horn sounded and the aircraft dropped, impacting terrain to the side of the runway. According to the Cessna 172N Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH), the aircraft's recommended balked landing procedure is to raise the flaps to 20 degrees, obtain a climb speed of 55 knots indicated airspeed (KIAS), raise flaps to 10 degrees until obstacles are cleared, and completely retract flaps at a safe altitude and 60 KIAS. The airplane's wings-level stall speed ranges from approximately 41 KIAS (47 knots calibrated airspeed [KCAS]) with full flaps to approximately 47 KIAS (53 KCAS) with flaps up. Maximum altitude loss during a stall recovery in the Cessna 172N may be as much as 180 feet. The student pilot, who received his initial solo endorsement 11 days before the accident, reported his total time as 14 hours.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to follow the aircraft's recommended balked landing procedure, resulting in a stall. Factors include the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing flare, the pilot's lack of total experience, and insufficient altitude available for stall recovery.

Full Narrative

On October 12, 1998, approximately 1020 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N6486J, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during an attempted go-around at Buhl Municipal Airport, Buhl, Idaho. The aircraft is registered to Avcenter Inc. of Pocatello, Idaho, and was operated as a 14 CFR 91 instructional flight. The solo student pilot was uninjured in the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and there was no report of an ELT activation. The aircraft departed Twin Falls, Idaho (15 nautical miles east-southeast of Buhl) about 1 hour prior to the accident. In his report submitted to the NTSB, the pilot said that he planned to make a touch and go on runway 09 (a 3,900 by 60 foot asphalt surface runway.) During the landing flare, the aircraft ballooned upward so he added power to regain control. The aircraft then drifted to the north side of the runway so the pilot decided to make a go-around. According to the pilot, "I applied full power and took the flaps from full [40 degrees] to zero." The pilot stated that the airplane then "started to drop" and the stall warning horn sounded. The aircraft subsequently impacted terrain on the north side of the runway. The student pilot reported winds at the time as being from 080 degrees at approximately 10 knots, and indicated on his NTSB accident report that no mechanical malfunction or failure was involved in the accident. According to the Cessna 172N Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH), the aircraft's recommended balked landing procedure is to raise the flaps to 20 degrees, and obtain a climb speed of 55 KIAS. Flaps should then be raised to 10 degrees until obstacles are cleared, and completely retracted after a safe altitude and an airspeed of 60 KIAS. The aircraft's stall speed with 0 degrees bank, gross weight of 2,300 pounds and most forward center of gravity ranges from 41 knots indicated airspeed (KIAS) (47 knots calibrated airspeed [KCAS]) with full flaps, to 47 KIAS (53 KCAS) with flaps up. The POH states that maximum altitude loss during a stall recovery may be as much as 180 feet. The student pilot received his initial solo endorsement on October 1, 1998, 11 days before the accident, and reported his total time as 14 hours.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:20 MDT
Nearest AirportBuhl Municipal (0nm)
Runway9
Runway Length3900 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172N
Tail NumberN6486J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-H2AD · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 35 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind110° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 30 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time22:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data