NTSB Reports
Aviation Safety Intelligence
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.

Get the iPhone App
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

March 27, 1991 · Piper PA-28R-200 · N55516

Sanford, FL

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 27, 1991
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Sanford, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA-28R-200
Tail Number
N55516
Operator
Comair Aviation Academy
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA91LA112

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AT 75-100 FT, THE CFI PULLED THE THROTTLE TO IDLE SIMULATION AN ENG FAILURE. DURING THE FLARE TO LAND ON THE REMAINING RWY, THE STUDENT PITCHED THE NOSE TOO HIGH. THE CFI ADVISED THE STUDENT TO APPLY POWER AND CORRECT THE EXCESSIVE PITCH, & HE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THROTTLE BUT THE ACFT LANDED HARD. UNAWARE OF THE DAMAGE, A STOP & GO LANDING WAS PERFORMED, & AFTER TAKEOFF WHEN THE GEAR WAS RETRACTED, THE GEAR IN TRANSIT LIGHT REMAIN ILLUMINATED. THE FLT RETURNED & AN UNEVENTFUL LANDING OCCURRED.

NTSB Probable Cause

EXCESSIVE FLARE BY THE DUAL STUDENT DURING THE FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING A SIMULATED ENGINE FAILURE SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. ALSO, FAILURE OF THE STUDENT TO MAINTAIN VS, AND FAILURE OF THE CFI TO TAKE REMEDIAL ACTION.

Full Narrative

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AT 75-100 FT, THE CFI PULLED THE THROTTLE TO IDLE SIMULATION AN ENG FAILURE. DURING THE FLARE TO LAND ON THE REMAINING RWY, THE STUDENT PITCHED THE NOSE TOO HIGH. THE CFI ADVISED THE STUDENT TO APPLY POWER AND CORRECT THE EXCESSIVE PITCH, & HE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THROTTLE BUT THE ACFT LANDED HARD. UNAWARE OF THE DAMAGE, A STOP & GO LANDING WAS PERFORMED, & AFTER TAKEOFF WHEN THE GEAR WAS RETRACTED, THE GEAR IN TRANSIT LIGHT REMAIN ILLUMINATED. THE FLT RETURNED & AN UNEVENTFUL LANDING OCCURRED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:21 EST
Nearest AirportSanford Regional (0nm N)
Runway9
Runway Length8001 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28R-200
Tail NumberN55516
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorComair Aviation Academy
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-C1C · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 26 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 4 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 12000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 57
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time11:55
Weather SourceWFAC

External Links

Appendix: Source Data