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

July 18, 1993 · Cessna 172P · N52858

Edgartown, MA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 18, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Edgartown, MA
Aircraft
Cessna 172P
Tail Number
N52858
Operator
Paramus Flying Club
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO93LA127

The pilot and three passengers were taking off on runway 3 when the airplane exited the runway and collided with pine trees. The pilot stated that he had completed his preflight inspection which included a weight and balance check. He also stated that during the takeoff roll, the aircraft was, 'pushed forcefully forward and to port by a rear right crosswind.' He stated that he was unable to keep the aircraft on the runway, so he pulled the power off and the aircraft came to rest in an open field. He stated that there was no mechanical malfunction. An FAA inspector reported that the pilot was taking off downwind on a 4000 foot long turf strip. He stated that the airplane never gained altitude and exited the runway with full power through small pine trees shearing off the left main gear. The pilot provided the passengers' weights to the FAA. The weight and balance was calculated by the FAA inspector, using the Cessna performance charts. His calculations revealed that the airplane was over gross weight by 40 lbs, and outside the center of gravity envelope.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING TAKEOFF. OTHER RELATED FACTORS WERE: THE TAILWIND, AND THE GROSS WEIGHT OF THE AIRPLANE BEING EXCEEDED.

Full Narrative

On Sunday, July 18, 1993, at about 1620 eastern daylight time, N52858, a Cessna 172, owned and operated by Paramus Flying Club of Teterboro, New Jersey, and piloted by Robert Souaid of New York, crashed during takeoff from runway 3 at Katama Airpark, Edgartown, Massachusetts. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The certificated private pilot and four passengers were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91. The pilot and passengers were on a return flight to New Jersey. The pilot stated that he completed his preflight inspection which included a weight and balance check. He reported that during his takeoff roll, "the aircraft was pushed forcefully forward and to port by a rear right crosswind. I was unable to keep the aircraft on the runway... I then cut power and brought the aircraft to rest in an open field." He also reported that there was no mechanical malfunction. An FAA inspector reported that the pilot tried to takeoff downwind from a 4000 foot long grass strip. According to the inspector, the airplane never gained altitude and exited the runway with full power through small pine trees shearing off the left main gear. The inspector also reported that the pilot provided the passengers' weight and when calculated using the Cessna Performance Manual, the airplane was over gross weight by 40 lbs, and outside the center of gravity envelope.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:20 EDT
Nearest AirportKatama Airpark (0nm)
Runway3
Runway Length4000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172P
Tail NumberN52858
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorParamus Flying Club
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D2G · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 37 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 10 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data