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

September 12, 1999 · Cessna 172RG · N9724B

Fort Smith, AR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 12, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Fort Smith, AR
Aircraft
Cessna 172RG
Tail Number
N9724B
Operator
Flight Works
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW99LA258

The airplane's right main landing gear collapsed upon landing. According to the pilot, he was flying on an IFR flight plan from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to Little Rock, Arkansas, when the 'oil pressure went beyond the green range.' He diverted to Fort Smith, Arkansas, and when he extended the landing gear, the 'indicator light did not come on.' He executed a low flyby over the airport to allow the controllers in the control tower to try to determine if the landing gear was extended. The tower controllers verified that the gear was extended, but could not determine if it was in the locked position. Upon landing, the right main landing gear collapsed. Examination of the airplane revealed that the electric pump motor/hydraulic power pack had failed. The electric pump motor/hydraulic power pack was replaced, and the gear system operated within manufacturer's specifications.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the electric pump motor/hydraulic power pack resulting in the collapse of the right main landing gear upon landing.

Full Narrative

On September 11, 1999, at 2030 central daylight time, a Cessna 172RG airplane, N9724B, was substantially damaged while landing at the Fort Smith Regional Airport, near Fort Smith, Arkansas. The airplane was registered to Christiansen Aviation Inc., of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and operated by Flight Works, Inc, of Bethany, Oklahoma. The instrument rated commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight, and an IFR flight plan was filed. The cross-country flight originated from the Wiley Post Airport, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, at 1845. According to the pilot, the aircraft departed on an IFR flight plan and was destined for Little Rock, Arkansas. The pilot elected to divert from the filed flight plan and land at Fort Smith when the "oil pressure went beyond the green range." He contacted Fort Smith Approach Control, as the oil pressure continued to rise, and set up for landing on runway 25. When the pilot moved the gear lever to the down position, the "indicator light did not come on." He recycled the gear, and the light still did not illuminate. He informed the control tower of the problem, and they suggested that he execute a low flyby so they could observe the gear and try to determine if it was extended. After the flyby, the controllers stated that the gear was down, but they were unable to determine if it was in the locked position. Upon landing the right main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane veered to the right of the centerline. The propeller contacted a taxiway light, and the airplane exited the runway surface. The airplane came to rest upright in grassy terrain adjacent to the runway. The FAA inspector reported that the rear spar of the right horizontal stabilizer was structurally damaged. Additionally, the propeller was "nicked." The airplane, which had accumulated a total of 8,462 hours, was examined by Dawson Aircraft of Clinton, Arkansas. A gear retraction test was performed and "smoke" was observed coming from the electric pump motor/hydraulic power pack. The electric pump motor/hydraulic power pack was removed from the airplane and replaced with an overhauled electric pump motor/ hydraulic power pack. Another gear retraction test was performed, and the gear system operated within manufacturer's specifications. The reason for the excessive oil pressure indication was not determined.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:30 CDT
Nearest AirportFort Smith Regional (0nm)
Runway25
Runway Length8000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172RG
Tail NumberN9724B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorFlight Works
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-F1A6 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 40 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind360° @ 10 kt, gusting 18 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 11000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 64 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time00:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data