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

December 16, 2000 · Aero Vodochody Aero Works L-39C · N139CG

Hilton Head Isl, SC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 16, 2000
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Hilton Head Isl, SC
Aircraft
Aero Vodochody Aero Works L-39C
Tail Number
N139CG
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA01LA044

The pilot stated that he had been flying for about 20 minutes and became concerned that fog may be moving into the airport area so he returned for a landing. During landing the pilot said he did not extend the landing gear on the downwind leg as he normally did, and he realized he had not done so late, just prior to landing. He said the landing gear touched the runway before it was fully extended and locked. According to the pilot the landing gear collapsed, and the aircraft slid on its belly to a stop on the runway, incurring substantial damage. The pilot said that no mechanical malfunctions existed with either the aircraft, or its systems prior to the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's improper inflight planning/decision and failure to follow the prelanding checklist, resulting in the landing gear not being lowered in sufficient time to be verified down and locked, which resulted in a wheels up landing and substantial damage to the airplane.

Full Narrative

On December 16, 2000, about 1450 eastern standard time, an Aero Vodochody L39C, N139CG, registered to Glastonbury Aviation LLC, and operated as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, had its landing gear collapse during landing at Hilton Head Airport, Hilton Head, South Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft incurred substantial damage, and the commercial-rated pilot, the sole occupant of the aircraft was not injured. The flight originated the same day, about 1420. The pilot stated that he had been flying for about 20 minutes east of the Hilton Head Airport, over the ocean, when he became concerned that fog may be moving into the airport area, so he returned for a landing. The pilot further stated that during the landing preparations he did not extend the landing gear on the downwind leg as he normally did, and he realized he had not done so late, just prior to landing. He said the landing gear touched the runway before it was fully extended and locked. According to the pilot, the landing gear collapsed, and the aircraft slid to a stop on the runway, incurring substantial damage. The pilot said that no mechanical malfunctions existed with either the aircraft, or its systems prior to the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:50 EST
Nearest AirportHiilton Head (0nm)
Runway21
Runway Length4300 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAero Vodochody Aero Works L-39C
Tail NumberN139CG
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurbojet
Engine DetailsAI-25-TL · Turbojet · 23800
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 61 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time19:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data