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

May 4, 1999 · Cessna 172N · N739EW

Eagleville, TN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 4, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Eagleville, TN
Aircraft
Cessna 172N
Tail Number
N739EW
Operator
Flymasters Flying Club
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA99LA148

While simulating a loss of engine power for a third time, the airplane was landed with an approximate 10 knot tailwind, 1/2 way down the 3,000 foot grass runway with full flaps. After touchdown, the student reset the flaps and applied full power for a go-around without delay. During the climb out, the left wing collided with an unmarked phone line about 25 feet above ground level. The right wing of the airplane then collided with a tree which separated about 8-10 feet of that wing. The airplane then descended and impacted the ground coming to rest about 135 feet from the tree impact point. The certified flight instructor stated that there was no engine, airframe, or system failure or malfunction. He also stated that he did not notice the unmarked phone line during that flight or during the previous 8-10 times he flew to that airstrip, but he did notice the trees during the climb just prior to the phone line contact. The flaps were determined to be extended approximately 5 degrees and no failure or malfunction of the flap system was noted.

NTSB Probable Cause

The dual's student failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance from the wire during takeoff/initial climb. Also causal was the certified flight instructor's inadequate supervision.

Full Narrative

On May 4, 1999, about 1432 central daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N739EW, registered to Flymasters, Inc., collided with a unmarked telephone line shortly after takeoff from T-Top Airfield Airport, Eagleville, Tennessee. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the certified flight instructor (CFI) and student were not injured. The flight originated about 1 minute earlier. The CFI stated that the flight departed from runway 19 at the Smyrna Airport, Smyrna, Tennessee, then proceeded to the Nashville International Airport, Nashville, Tennessee, where the student performed one touch-and-go landing on runway 20C. The flight then proceeded direct to T-Top Airfield Airport, where the student entered the traffic pattern to land on runway 01. During the midfield downwind leg, the CFI reduced the throttle to idle to simulate a loss of engine power. The student landed the airplane about midpoint on the 3,000-foot grass runway, and performed a go-around. The simulated loss of engine power was performed two more times, the first power loss simulation occurring abeam the numbers and the second power loss simulation occurred at a 45 degree angle to the runway. During the 3rd simulation, the airplane was landed again 1/2 way down the runway. The student raised the flap selector handle to retract the flaps, pushed in carburetor heat, and applied power without delay. While climbing out at an airspeed greater than the published best angle of climb (Vx), the CFI observed trees that were ahead, but did not notice an unmarked phone line that was lower than marked power lines. The airplane collided with the unmarked phone line then impacted the ground. Both exited the airplane unaided. The CFI further reported that there was no engine, airframe, or system preimpact failure or malfunction, and that he had permission to fly into that private airstrip and had previously flown into there 8-10 times. Examination of the accident site by the FAA airworthiness inspector revealed that the left wing of the airplane collided with an unmarked phone line about 25 feet above ground level (agl). The phone line was located beneath two power lines, one of which was marked with a ball. The power lines were not damaged. After the contact with the phone line the airplane flew approximately 66 feet where the right wing collided with a tree about 10 feet agl; separating 8-10 feet of the right wing. The airplane continued and came to rest 135 feet beyond the tree impact on a heading of 270 degrees. The flap actuator was examined and found to be extended approximately 5 degrees; the flap circuit breaker was not popped. Weather observations taken from the Shelbyville Airport 12 minutes before and 8 minutes after the accident, indicates that the wind was from 180 at 12 knots and 190 at 11 knots respectively. The Shelbyville Airport is located 12.1 nautical miles and 125 degrees from the accident airstrip. Weather observations taken 8 minutes after the accident from Ellington Airport (KLUG), Maury County Airport (KMRC), and Murfreesboro Municipal Airport (KMBT), indicates that the wind was from 160 degrees at 9 knots with gusts to 14 knots, 150 degrees at 12 knots with gusts to 18 knots, and 190 degrees at 11 knots with gusts to 15 knots, respectively. The KLUG airport is located 13.6 nautical miles and 213 degrees from the accident site. The KMRC airport is located 27.8 nautical miles and 250 degrees from the accident site. The KMBT airport is located 17.0 nautical miles and 044 degrees from the accident site.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:32 CDT
Nearest AirportT-Top Airfield Airport (0nm N)
Runway1
Runway Length2500 ft
Runway Width40 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172N
Tail NumberN739EW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorFlymasters Flying Club
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O320-H2AD · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 63 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind190° @ 11 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time19:40
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data