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

January 28, 1989 · Cessna 305A · N5300G

Blairstown, NJ

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 28, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Blairstown, NJ
Aircraft
Cessna 305A
Tail Number
N5300G
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC89FA074

Cessna 305A, N5300G, was being used to tow a glider (Schweizer SGS-1-26C, N8612R) from a 3102 ft grass runway. The glider pilot estimated the tow line was less than 150 ft in length. He reported the Schweizer was very sensitive on tow and that the manufacturer's recommended towing speed was 50 to 60 mph, but the tow pilot preferred a higher tow speed. On several previous occasions, the glider pilot had requested a 'conservative' speed. Reportedly, they compromised on a slow tow to 1000' AGL, then a speed of 80 mph to the release point. The glider pilot stated the wind was gusty, but the initial climb after takeoff was normal to about 150' AGL, then the glider encountered turbulence. Slack developed in the tow line and the glider pilot corrected by using yaw. Witnesses reported the glider moved out of position to the left, then right, then back left and high, raising the tail of the tow plane. Subsequently, the tow plane entered a steep descent and crashed, though both pilots had released the tow line. The glider landed safely. No preimpact mechanical problems were found.

NTSB Probable Cause

DELAYS BY BOTH PILOTS IN RELEASING THE GLIDER TOW LINE AFTER THE GLIDER PILOT ALLOWED THE GLIDER TO MANEUVER EXCESSIVELY ABOVE THE TOW AIRCRAFT. THE WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE FACTORS.

Full Narrative

CESSNA 305A, N5300G, WAS BEING USED TO TOW A GLIDER (SCHWEIZER SGS-1-26C, N8612R) FROM A 3102 FT GRASS RWY. THE GLIDER PLT ESTIMATED THE TOW LINE WAS LESS THAN 150 FT IN LENGTH. HE RPRTD THE SCHWEIZER WAS VERY SENSITIVE ON TOW & THAT THE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDED TOWING SPEED WAS 50 TO 60 MPH, BUT THE TOW PLT PREFERRED A HIGHER TOW SPEED. ON SVRL PREVIOUS OCCASIONS, THE GLIDER PLT HAD REQUESTED A 'CONSERVATIVE' SPEED. RPRTDLY, THEY COMPROMISED ON A SLOW TOW TO 1000' AGL, THEN A SPEED OF 80 MPH TO THE RELEASE POINT. THE GLIDER PLT STATED THE WIND WAS GUSTY, BUT THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF WAS NORMAL TO ABOUT 150' AGL, THEN THE GLIDER ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE. SLACK DEVELOPED IN THE TOW LINE & THE GLIDER PLT CORRECTED BY USING YAW. WITNESSES RPRTD THE GLIDER MOVED OUT OF PSN TO THE LEFT, THEN RIGHT, THEN BACK LEFT & HIGH, RAISING THE TAIL OF THE TOW PLANE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE TOW PLANE ENTERED A STEEP DSCNT & CRASHED, THOUGH BOTH PLTS HAD RELEASED THE TOW LINE. THE GLIDER LNDD SAFELY. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE FOUND.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 EST
Nearest AirportBlairstown (0nm N)
Runway25
Runway Length3102 ft
Runway Width70 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 305A
Tail NumberN5300G
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470-11B · Reciprocating · 213
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 32 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 16 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46 / 27 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time19:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data