NTSB Reports
Aviation Safety Intelligence
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.

Get the iPhone App
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

March 21, 1990 · Cessna 172G · N4373L

Gulf Shores, AL

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 21, 1990
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Gulf Shores, AL
Aircraft
Cessna 172G
Tail Number
N4373L
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL90LA083

THE PILOT WAS ON THE RAMP PREPARING FOR A BANNER TOW FLIGHT AND HAD LEFT THE COCKPIT UNATTENDED. HE REPORTED THAT THE PARKING BRAKE WAS SET, THE THROTTLE WAS AT IDLE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, AND THE LEFT MAIN TIRE WAS CHOCKED. AS HE WAS HELPING HIS WIFE CARRY THE BANNER TO THE PICK UP AREA, HE NOTICED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS MOVING. HE CHASED THE AIRPLANE AND TRIED TO ENTER THE COCKPIT, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. HE TURNED THE AIRPLANE AWAY FROM A FUEL STORAGE TANK BEFORE HE WAS DRAGGED TO THE GROUND. THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED THE RAMP SURFACE, CONTACTED AN ADJACENT DITCH, AND NOSED OVER. THE PILOT'S WIFE STATED THAT THE THROTTLE MAY HAVE OPENED UP AFTER THE AIRPLANE STARTED MOVING.

NTSB Probable Cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO OBTAIN PROPER ASSISTANCE OR PROPERLY SECURE THE AIRCRAFT WHEN HE LEFT IT UNATTENDED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT WAS ON THE RAMP PREPARING FOR A BANNER TOW FLIGHT AND HAD LEFT THE COCKPIT UNATTENDED. HE REPORTED THAT THE PARKING BRAKE WAS SET, THE THROTTLE WAS AT IDLE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, AND THE LEFT MAIN TIRE WAS CHOCKED. AS HE WAS HELPING HIS WIFE CARRY THE BANNER TO THE PICK UP AREA, HE NOTICED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS MOVING. HE CHASED THE AIRPLANE AND TRIED TO ENTER THE COCKPIT, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. HE TURNED THE AIRPLANE AWAY FROM A FUEL STORAGE TANK BEFORE HE WAS DRAGGED TO THE GROUND. THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED THE RAMP SURFACE, CONTACTED AN ADJACENT DITCH, AND NOSED OVER. THE PILOT'S WIFE STATED THAT THE THROTTLE MAY HAVE OPENED UP AFTER THE AIRPLANE STARTED MOVING.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:05 CST
Nearest AirportJack Edwards (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172G
Tail NumberN4373L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300-D · Reciprocating · 145
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 69 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 10 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 36 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time19:47
Weather SourceWFAC

External Links

Appendix: Source Data