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

December 26, 1993 · Cessna 152 · N25566

Edisto Island, SC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 26, 1993
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Edisto Island, SC
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N25566
Operator
New Charleston Flight Academy
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL94LA032

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS PERFORMING A SUPERVISED SOLO INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT, WHICH INCLUDED UPPER AIR MANEUVER PRACTICE. DURING A DESCENT, THERE WAS A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. AFTER AN UNSUCCESSFUL RESTART ATTEMPT, AN OPEN FIELD WAS SELECTED FOR A FORCED LANDING. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE STRUCK BRUSH AND TREES, AND WAS DAMAGED. POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE FAILED TO REVEAL ANY EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL FAILURE, AND THE ENGINE WAS RUN UP TO FULL POWER ON A TEST PLATFORM. WEATHER CONDITIONS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WERE CONDUCIVE TO THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE. THE PILOT DID NOT REPORT THE USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT WHILE MANEUVERING.

NTSB Probable Cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO USE CARBURETOR HEAT, WHILE MANEUVERING AND CHANGING ALTITUDES, WHICH RESULTED IN CARBURETOR ICE. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THAT WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE FAVORABLE FOR THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE.

Full Narrative

On December 26, 1993, at 1530 eastern standard time, a Cessna 152, N25566, collided with trees while attempting a forced landing in a field near Johns Island, South Carolina. The instructional flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the student pilot received minor injuries. The supervised solo flight departed Johns Island, South Carolina, at 1430 hours. According to the student pilot, he had flown to the training area to practice upper air maneuvers. During the practice session, the pilot reported changing altitude and finally descending to 1500 feet. While descending to 1500 feet the student experienced a complete loss of engine power; at no time during the maneuvering and altitude changing did the pilot report using carburetor heat. He attempted an engine restart but failed. Finally, the student pilot selected a hay field and attempted a forced landing. During the landing roll, the airplane collided with trees about 1000 feet from the touchdown point. The subsequent examination of the aircraft and engine assembly failed to disclose a mechanical problem. A functional run of the engine, on the airframe, disclosed that all engine sub-systems were functionally and the engine operated up to full power.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:30 EST
Nearest AirportCharleston Executive (3nm N)
Runway27
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN25566
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorNew Charleston Flight Academy
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 110
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 16 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 12 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 30 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data