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 20, 1991 · Cessna C-172P · N54694

Hesperia, CA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 20, 1991
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Hesperia, CA
Aircraft
Cessna C-172P
Tail Number
N54694
Operator
South Bay Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX91LA323

THE PILOT DECIDED TO DIVERT TO HESPERIA DUE TO WEATHER. DURING THE ENROUTE LET DOWN, THE PILOT DISCOVERED THAT THE THROTTLE CONTROL WAS FROZEN AND COULD NOT BE MOVED WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO ADD POWER. THE THROTTLE WAS FROZEN AT AN ENGINE POWER LEVEL INSUFFICIENT TO MAINTAIN LEVEL FLIGHT AND THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH HIGH TENSION POWER LINES WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MANEUVER TO THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT WAS EXAMINED BY FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTORS WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE THROTTLE WAS FROZEN IN AN INTERMEDIATE SETTING. THE ENGINE WAS OVERHAULED ON JUNE 18, 1991. AT THAT TIME THE CARBURETOR WAS ALSO OVERHAULED, INCLUDING THE INSTALLATION OF NEW THROTTLE BUSHINGS AND A SHAFT. BETWEEN THE ENGINE OVERHAUL AND THE DATE OF THE ACCIDENT, THE AIRCRAFT DISCREPANCY LOG SHEETS MAINTAINED BY SOUTHBAY AVIATION DOCUMENTED SIX PRIOR COMPLAINTS BY RENTER PILOTS THAT THE THROTTLE WAS STICKING ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE CORRECTIVE ACTION RECORDED ON THE DISCREPANCY SHEETS CONSISTED OF REPLACING THE THROTTLE CABLE.

NTSB Probable Cause

A STUCK ENGINE THROTTLE DUE TO IMPROPER MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT DECIDED TO DIVERT TO HESPERIA DUE TO WEATHER. DURING THE ENROUTE LET DOWN, THE PILOT DISCOVERED THAT THE THROTTLE CONTROL WAS FROZEN AND COULD NOT BE MOVED WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO ADD POWER. THE THROTTLE WAS FROZEN AT AN ENGINE POWER LEVEL INSUFFICIENT TO MAINTAIN LEVEL FLIGHT AND THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH HIGH TENSION POWER LINES WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MANEUVER TO THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT WAS EXAMINED BY FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTORS WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE THROTTLE WAS FROZEN IN AN INTERMEDIATE SETTING. THE ENGINE WAS OVERHAULED ON JUNE 18, 1991. AT THAT TIME THE CARBURETOR WAS ALSO OVERHAULED, INCLUDING THE INSTALLATION OF NEW THROTTLE BUSHINGS AND A SHAFT. BETWEEN THE ENGINE OVERHAUL AND THE DATE OF THE ACCIDENT, THE AIRCRAFT DISCREPANCY LOG SHEETS MAINTAINED BY SOUTHBAY AVIATION DOCUMENTED SIX PRIOR COMPLAINTS BY RENTER PILOTS THAT THE THROTTLE WAS STICKING ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE CORRECTIVE ACTION RECORDED ON THE DISCREPANCY SHEETS CONSISTED OF REPLACING THE THROTTLE CABLE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:30 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna C-172P
Tail NumberN54694
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSouth Bay Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D2J · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 25 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 15 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data