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

August 22, 1993 · Cessna 177B · N20128

Skaneateles, NY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 22, 1993
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Skaneateles, NY
Aircraft
Cessna 177B
Tail Number
N20128
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC93LA170

THE PILOT STATED THAT AFTER TAKEOFF, 'THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH, AND STOPPED SUDDENLY.' HE PERFORMED A LANDING AND STRUCK TREES. AN EXAMINATION BY THE FAA OF THE AIRPORT FROM WHICH N20128 DEPARTED REVEALED A LARGE OIL SPOT AT THE LOCATION WHERE THE AIRPLANE HAD BEEN PARKED. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO OIL. 'THE OIL FILTER CANISTER WAS CRUSHED INTO THE HOUSING.' IN ADDITION, THE OIL FILTER SEAL WAS 'SLIPPED AND DEFORMED.'

NTSB Probable Cause

THE IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE ENGINE OIL FILTER, AND THE SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF OIL AND ENGINE POWER, RESULTING IN FORCED LANDING AND COLLSION WITH TREES.

Full Narrative

On Sunday, August 22, 1993, at 1230 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 177B, N20128, registered to Charles Burns, and piloted by Fred C. Ziemer, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing in Skaneateles, New York. The pilot was seriously injured, and the passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR 91. The pilot departed the Skaneateles Aero Drome on runway 10. In his report, the pilot stated: Did run-up and departed....at approximately 1500 ft...the engine began to run rough, and stopped suddenly. The pilot was unable to restart the engine, and he initiated a forced landing. The airplane collided with trees during the landing. Federal Aviation Administration Inspectors Tony James and Edward Dick conducted an examination of the wreckage. In his report, Mr. James stated: ...inspection of the dip stick-no oil appeared. Visit to FBO...I saw oil on the taxiway where the A/C was parked and when the A/C taxied out the oil trail led to the run-up and takeoff. Mr. Dick's report stated: Upon arrival at the accident site, I noticed the following: 1) The aircraft was in an upright position...3) The engine was intact...no major engine failure was noted. 4) upon further inspection, the only area of oil leakage was directly below the oil canister that contained the oil filter...5) The oil canister was removed from the housing and upon doing so noticed the oil seal between the canister and housing was slipped completely into the housing...6) The seal was removed and was crushed inward...The oil canister was crushed into the housing during improper installation. This led to complete oil loss and engine stopping.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:20 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 177B
Tail NumberN20128
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A2F · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 67 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data