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

January 19, 1992 · Cessna 172 · N8529U

Union Center, SD

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 19, 1992
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Union Center, SD
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N8529U
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI93LA381

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING TAKEOFF, THE AIRPLANE HAD JUST LIFTED OFF AND WAS AT AN ESTIMATED 2 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, WHEN IT STRUCK A WIRE FENCE AND CAME TO REST IN A FIELD. HE REPORTED THE WEATHER WAS UNSEASONABLY WARM (60 DEGREES IN JANUARY) AND THE GROUND WAS SOFT DUE TO THAWING. HE STATED: 'IT WAS MY ERROR,' AND INDICATED HE KEPT THE POWER IN TOO LONG, THINKING THE AIRPLANE WOULD CLEAR THE FENCE. THE 2800 FOOT LONG PRIVATE GRASS STRIP WAS LOCATED ON THE PILOT'S PROPERTY.

NTSB Probable Cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, AND HIS FAILURE TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF, WHILE THERE WAS SUFFICIENT RUNWAY REMAINING. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE SOFT RUNWAY CONDITION & FENCE AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY.

Full Narrative

On January 19, 1992, approximately 1300 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna 172, N8529U, piloted by the private pilot/registered owner, collided with a fence shortly after liftoff from the pilot's private grass airstrip in Union Center, South Dakota. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot, the sole occupant, reported no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, no flight plan was filed. The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91, and originated from Union Center approximately 1259 hours. The pilot reported it was a warm (60 degrees) day with calm winds and the ground was soft with "...about 2" thawed on top... ." He stated when he reached the point on the grass strip where he expected to rotate, the airplane would not fly. He estimated the airplane was about 2 feet above the ground when it struck a woven wire fence located off the departure end of the runway. The airplane fell to the ground and skidded to a stop nose down. The pilot stated "...It was my error. When I seen it wasn't going to fly or clear the fence I should of cut the power and braked to a stop...kept the power in too long."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:00 MST
Nearest AirportPrivate Strip (0nm)
Runway32
Runway Length2800 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN8529U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300-D · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 52 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data