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

April 4, 2000 · Cessna 152 · N46912

Murfreesboro, TN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 4, 2000
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Murfreesboro, TN
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N46912
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA00LA127

The instructional flight sustained an engine power loss at about 100 feet agl, during takeoff. Unable to climb and with no clear area to force land, the flight collided with a tree and power lines, impacted the terrain, and burned. Fire damage and fire fighting foam sprayed on the crash site prevented a thorough examination of the wreckage for water contamination of the fuel. The engine was subjected to disassembly examination with no conclusive finding.

NTSB Probable Cause

A loss of engine power during takeoff climb for undetermined reasons resulting in an attempted emergency landing to unsuitable terrain and collision with a tree and transmission wires.

Full Narrative

On April 4, 2000, about 1035 central daylight time, a Cessna 152, N46912, registered to Middle Tennessee State University, operating as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, crashed on takeoff climb in the vicinity of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was filed but not activated. The airplane was destroyed by postcrash fire, and the CFI-rated pilot and student pilot were not injured. The flight departed one minute before the accident. According to the CFI, the flight had just departed runway 36 at Murfreesboro Municipal Airport. At about 100 feet agl, while in departure climb, the engine began to run rough, continued climb became impossible, and the airplane collided with a tree and power lines less than 1/2 mile north of the airport. The empennage separated and remained entangled in the power lines and the fuselage landed at the base of a stand of trees and burned. According to the student, preflight inspection of the aircraft revealed no discrepancies. Sumping each fuel tank revealed no water and the tanks were full. The engine started smoothly, ran smoothly for the taxi, and pre-takeoff engine checks were normal. The flight school could not provide a record of fuel farm or fuel truck contamination checks, but according to a fuel truck status sheet, N46912 was fuelled with 6.6 gallons of fuel on April 3rd. At some time after that fuelling on April 3rd, the fuel truck status sheet shows the following entries: (1) "filled truck" and (2) "sumped truck". According to the line serviceman on duty, it was the flight school's procedure to, "report any contamination to someone in charge". The flight school confirmed no report was given for that day. According to an FAA inspector, postcrash fire limited examination of the engine and fuel components. Fuel contamination testing was impossible due to the introduction of fire retardant foam to the wreckage by fire rescue personnel; however, correct 100LL aviation fuel was determined to be aboard. The fuel filler caps appeared properly sealed and vented and the remaining vent tube from the left wing was not obstructed. The four fuel tank pick-ups were not obstructed. Subsequent disassembly examination of the engine revealed proper accessory drive and valve train relationship and continuity. All eight spark plugs revealed normal electrode coloring per Champion Spark Plugs Check-A-Plug chart AV-27 and tested satisfactorily. Magneto timing appeared correct, and both magnetos tested satisfactorily. Borescoping and compression testing of the cylinders proved satisfactory. The oil filter revealed no contamination or metal particles. The fire-damaged carburetor was removed and revealed no remnants of debris in the float-bowl or the fuel strainer. The throttle plate was found fully open.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:35 CDT
Nearest AirportMurfreesboro Municipal (1nm N)
Runway36
Runway Length3898 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN46912
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 110
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 23 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 34 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time14:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data