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

June 5, 1999 · Cessna 152 · N68762

Chapel Hill, NC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 5, 1999
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Chapel Hill, NC
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N68762
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA99LA163

The pilot stated to an FAA inspector after the accident that he did not remember anything about the accident. A flight instructor in another airplane saw the accident airplane approach the runway at a high altitude. The next time he saw it, it was over trees at the departure end of the runway, in a nose high attitude, moving very slowly, on the edge of a stall. The accident airplane then yawed sharply to the left, and entered a nose down, near vertical descent, disappearing into the trees. Postcrash toxicology tests were positive for .247 ug/ml marijuana in urine and .027 ug/ml marijuana in serum. Postcrash examination of the airplane's structure, flight controls, and engine by an FAA inspector showed no evidence of precrash failure or malfunction.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the pilot to maintain airspeed resulting in the airplane stalling and entering a spin. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment by marijuana.

Full Narrative

On June 5, 1999, about 1248 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N68762, registered to Chapel Hill Flying Club, crashed during a go-around at Horace Williams Airport, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was destroyed and the student pilot received serious injuries. The flight originated from Chapel Hill, the same day, about 1100. The pilot stated to an FAA inspector after the accident that he did not remember anything about the accident. A flight instructor in another aircraft stated that as he and his student entered right downwind for runway 27 at Horace Williams Airport, they observed N68762 turn from base leg to final approach, while still at about traffic pattern altitude. He diverted his attention and when he looked back, he saw N68762 about half way down the runway , still at a high altitude. A few moments later he observed N68762 over the trees at the end of the runway, in a nose-high attitude and moving very slowly, on the edge of a stall. The aircraft then yawed sharply left and disappeared into the trees in a steep nose down , near vertical attitude. Postcrash examination of the aircraft was performed by an FAA inspector. All components of the aircraft necessary for flight were on or around the main wreckage. Continuity of the flight control systems was established. The engine rotated and produced normal compression in each cylinder. Continuity of the crankshaft, camshaft, valve train and all accessory drives was established. Each magneto produced spark when rotated by hand. The carburetor was loose at the attach point to the engine and the case halve screws were loose. There was no indication of failure or malfunction of the carburetor. Postcrash toxicology testing performed on specimens obtained from the pilot during hospital admission shortly after the accident was performed by McLendon Clinical Laboratories, University of North Carolina Hospitals, Chapel Hill, North Carolina and Federal Aviation Admonistartion, Toxicology and Accident Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The McLendon Clinical Laboratories tests were positive for Cannabinoid, Amphetamine, Opiate, and Salicylate in urine. Quantities were not established. The Federal Aviation Administration tests were positive for .019 ug/ml Tetrahydrocannabinol and .027 ug/ml Tetrahydrocannabinol Carboxylic Acid in serum. The FAA tests were also positive for .247 ug/ml Tetrahydrocannabinol Carboxylic Acid and 112.2 ug/ml Salicylate in urine. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the active substance in marijuana and tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid is the inactive metabolite of THC.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:48 EDT
Nearest AirportHorace Williams (1nm W)
Runway27
Runway Length4005 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN68762
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 110
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 52 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data