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

November 15, 1988 · Cessna R172E · N96164

Lawrenceville, GA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 15, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Lawrenceville, GA
Aircraft
Cessna R172E
Tail Number
N96164
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL89LA037

THE CFI & STUDENT WERE PRACTICING TOUCH-&-GO LNDGS AT NIGHT WHEN THE ENG LOST PWR SHORTLY AFTER THE 5TH TOUCH-&-GO. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WAS DMGD WHEN IT WAS LNDD IN TREES. DRG AN EXAM OF THE ENG, DARK, SOOTY DEPOSITS WERE FOUND ON ALL SPARK PLUGS. THE PLUGS WERE REINSTALLED & AN OPNL CHECK OF THE ENG WAS MADE. THE ENG STARTED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY & DEVELOPED PWR WHEN THE THROTTLE WAS OPENED. A FURTHER EXAM REVEALED THAT THE CARB HEAT DOOR ON THE CARB AIRBOX WOULD NOT MOVE TO THE FULL ON POSITION WHEN THE CARB HEAT CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED. THE AIRBOX HAD BEEN IMPROPERLY MODIFIED AND/OR REPAIRED. NO ENTRIES WERE FOUND IN THE ACFT LOGS CONCERNING THE AIRBOX. THE ACFT HAD FLOWN APRX 97 HRS SINCE THE PREVIOUS ANNUAL INSPN APRX 5 MOS BEFORE THE ACDNT. THE TEMP & DEW POINT WERE 61 & 45 DEG, RESPECTIVELY. ACCORDING TO ICING PROBABILITY CHARTS, CONDS WERE CONDUCIVE TO CARB ICE. THE CFI RPRTD THE CARB HEAT WAS USED PRIOR TO EACH LNDG.

NTSB Probable Cause

IMPROPER REPAIR AND/OR MODIFICATION OF THE CARBURETOR AIRBOX BY UNKNOWN PERSON(S), AND THE SUBSEQUENT FAILURE OF MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL TO DETECT THE IMPROPER REPAIR/MODIFICATION DURING ANNUAL INSPECTION(S), WHICH LED TO A LOSS OF POWER DUE TO CARBURETOR ICING. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE PRESENCE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS CONDUCIVE TO THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE.

Full Narrative

THE CFI & STUDENT WERE PRACTICING TOUCH-&-GO LNDGS AT NIGHT WHEN THE ENG LOST PWR SHORTLY AFTER THE 5TH TOUCH-&-GO. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WAS DMGD WHEN IT WAS LNDD IN TREES. DRG AN EXAM OF THE ENG, DARK, SOOTY DEPOSITS WERE FOUND ON ALL SPARK PLUGS. THE PLUGS WERE REINSTALLED & AN OPNL CHECK OF THE ENG WAS MADE. THE ENG STARTED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY & DEVELOPED PWR WHEN THE THROTTLE WAS OPENED. A FURTHER EXAM REVEALED THAT THE CARB HEAT DOOR ON THE CARB AIRBOX WOULD NOT MOVE TO THE FULL ON POSITION WHEN THE CARB HEAT CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED. THE AIRBOX HAD BEEN IMPROPERLY MODIFIED AND/OR REPAIRED. NO ENTRIES WERE FOUND IN THE ACFT LOGS CONCERNING THE AIRBOX. THE ACFT HAD FLOWN APRX 97 HRS SINCE THE PREVIOUS ANNUAL INSPN APRX 5 MOS BEFORE THE ACDNT. THE TEMP & DEW POINT WERE 61 & 45 DEG, RESPECTIVELY. ACCORDING TO ICING PROBABILITY CHARTS, CONDS WERE CONDUCIVE TO CARB ICE. THE CFI RPRTD THE CARB HEAT WAS USED PRIOR TO EACH LNDG.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:45 EST
Nearest AirportGwinnett County (0nm N)
Runway25
Runway Length4000 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna R172E
Tail NumberN96164
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A1A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 42 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 45 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time23:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data