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

August 29, 2000 · Cessna 172 · N803SP

Dunkirk, NY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 29, 2000
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Dunkirk, NY
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N803SP
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC00LA243

The pilot flew an approach to Runway 33, a 4,000 foot long asphalt runway. On final approach, the pilot added 20 degrees of flaps and noticed his airspeed was higher than normal. The airplane touched down about 1/3 of the length of the runway and bounced twice. When the pilot realized there was not sufficient runway to stop the airplane, he applied full power, retracted the flaps, and initiated a 'go-around'. The aircraft proceeded off the runway, and nosed over about 250 feet from the departure end of the runway.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing.

Full Narrative

On August 29, 2000, at 1000 Eastern Daylight Time, a Cessna 172, N803SP, was substantially damaged during an aborted landing at the Chautauqua County/Dunkirk Airport (DKK), Dunkirk, New York. The certificated commercial pilot and three passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight that originated at the Erie International Airport (ERI), Erie, Pennsylvania, and was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a telephone interview, the pilot stated that before landing at DKK, he contacted the airport unicom and requested an "airport advisory." He was instructed that Runway 33 was available for landing, and entered the downwind leg of the traffic pattern. After the airplane crossed the threshold of the runway, it "kept floating and floating," and the pilot observed "no decrease in airspeed." The airplane touched down about 1/3 of the length of the runway, and then bounced. Full power was applied and a go-around was initiated. The airplane then "ran out of runway, bounced on the grass, and flipped over nose-first." The pilot reported that he normally flies at 80 mph on final approach, and crosses the threshold at 70 mph. He could not recall what his airspeed was during the accident flight; however, he stated the airspeed was "close to his normal numbers." The pilot stated that his "delayed go-around procedure" contributed to the accident. In a subsequent written statement, the pilot reported he extended 20 degrees of flaps on final, his final approach was "long" and his final approach speed was higher than normal. A statement was provided by the operator, which summarized observations made by the passengers on board the airplane. They stated: "The first touchdown was beyond the intersection. Impact was hard and aircraft bounced. Second touchdown also bounced. Pilot added low power to assist in arresting 'porposing.' Upon final touchdown, the pilot judged insufficient runway remained to stop, and rejected the landing, initiating a go-around. The pilot positioned the flap handle in the fully retracted position and advanced full throttle. The aircraft rolled off the end of the runway, skipped part way across a drainage ditch and impacted the opposite side of the drainage ditch with the nose gear. The aircraft continued on basically a straight path another 100 feet...and then nosed over and came to rest inverted approximately 250 feet from the end of the runway aligned with and approximately 30 west of the runway centerline." According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the airplane incurred substantially damage to the vertical stabilizer, empannage, and both wings. Additionally, the engine was broken off the firewall. At 0953, the winds were reported at DKK as variable, at 5 knots. Runway 33 was a 4,000 foot long, 100 foot wide asphalt runway.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 EDT
Nearest AirportChautauqua County/Dunkirk (0nm)
Runway33
Runway Length4000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN803SP
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 75 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind5 kt
Visibility8 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time13:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data