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 16, 1999 · Cessna 172K · N46451

Taft, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 16, 1999
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Taft, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 172K
Tail Number
N46451
Operator
Andy Griffith
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX99LA252

The student pilot was going to practice landings. He planned to land on runway 25 and depart on runway 07 due to terrain and runway slope considerations. He said the winds were from 050 degrees at 10 to 12 knots. He made a go-around on his first attempted landing, then made a full stop landing on runway 25 and took off on runway 7. On his third attempt, he landed on runway 25 with full flaps and the airplane began drifting to the right as it slowed down. As he was correcting, he felt the nose wheel 'skid/shimmy.' He was approximately halfway down the runway at 35 knots, when the airplane departed the right side of the runway and he decided to abort the landing. He re-entered the runway with approximately 150 yards of pavement remaining and rotated at approximately 50 knots with 30 yards of asphalt remaining. During the takeoff initial climb, the airplane collided with trees and a power lines. Examination of the runway determined the airplane veered about 80 feet off the runway into a dirt area, and that the airplane lifted off about 270 yards from the airport boundary fence. The first set of power lines was less than 0.25-mile from the runway.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's selection of the wrong runway in consideration of the wind conditions and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control. The pilot's decision to abort the landing attempt with inadequate runway remaining for the takeoff phase was also causal.

Full Narrative

On July 15, 1999, at 1800 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172K, N46451, sustained substantial damage when it collided with power lines and trees during an aborted landing at Taft, California. The instructional flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 by Kern Charter, Inc. The student pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The airplane departed from the municipal airport in Bakersfield, California, at 1715. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot stated he completed basic air work maneuvers, then proceeded to Taft to practice landings. He indicated the normal procedure at Taft was to land on runway 25 and depart on runway 07 due to terrain and runway slope considerations. The airport/facility directory, southwest U.S., notes a 2.2 percent uphill grade for runway 25. The pilot stated that when he first flew over the airport he observed the winds were from 050 degrees at 10 to 12 knots. He made a go-around on his first attempted landing. On the second attempt he landed on runway 25 and took off on runway 07. On the third attempt, the pilot said he landed with full flaps and the airplane began drifting to the right as it slowed down. As he was correcting, he felt the nose wheel "skid/shimmy." He was approximately halfway down the runway at 35 knots when the airplane departed the right side of the runway. He added power, closed the carburetor heat, and aborted the landing. He estimated he re-entered the runway with approximately 150 yards of pavement remaining. He stated his rotation speed was approximately 50 knots and 30 yards of asphalt remained. During the takeoff attempt, the airplane contacted a power line and treetops. The pilot said he had the flaps partially up by this point, but was unsure of their exact position. The airplane hit a second set of power lines and the left wing struck a power pole. The airplane then crossed a road before it came to rest. The Federal Aviation Administration accident coordinator measured ground tracks and determined the airplane veered approximately 80 feet off the runway. He noted the tracks led back to the runway and estimated liftoff was 270 yards from the airport boundary fence. He estimated the first set of power lines was less than 0.25-mile from the runway.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:00 PDT
Nearest AirportTaft - Kern County (1nm WSW)
Runway25
Runway Length3550 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172K
Tail NumberN46451
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAndy Griffith
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 27 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time00:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data