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 18, 1986 · Cessna 152 · N4977P

Independence, MO

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 18, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Independence, MO
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N4977P
Operator
Roger Billings
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MKC86LA055

DURING AN ABORTED TAKEOFF IN STRONG CROSSWINDS, THE ACFT VEERED OFF THE RWY AND INTO A DITCH NEAR THE RUNWAYS EDGE. THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED REARWARD AND THE RIGHT WING DROPPED STRIKING THE GROUND. THE PLT STATED HE ABORTED THE TAKEOFF WHEN THE ACFT FELT LIKE IT WASN'T GOING TO FLY. WIND CONDITIONS WERE RECORDED AS BEING FROM 290 DEGREES AT 14 KTS WITH GUSTS TO 21 KTS. THE PLT STATED THE WIND WAS OUT OF THE NORTH AND DOWN THE RWY WHEN HE PREFLIGHTED THE ACFT, BUT HAD CHANGED TO THE NORTHWEST WHEN HE BEGAN HIS TAKEOFF ROLL. NO CONTROL PBLMS WERE ACKNOWLEDGED BY THE PLT AT ANY TIME DURING THIS EVENT.

Full Narrative

DURING AN ABORTED TAKEOFF IN STRONG CROSSWINDS, THE ACFT VEERED OFF THE RWY AND INTO A DITCH NEAR THE RUNWAYS EDGE. THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED REARWARD AND THE RIGHT WING DROPPED STRIKING THE GROUND. THE PLT STATED HE ABORTED THE TAKEOFF WHEN THE ACFT FELT LIKE IT WASN'T GOING TO FLY. WIND CONDITIONS WERE RECORDED AS BEING FROM 290 DEGREES AT 14 KTS WITH GUSTS TO 21 KTS. THE PLT STATED THE WIND WAS OUT OF THE NORTH AND DOWN THE RWY WHEN HE PREFLIGHTED THE ACFT, BUT HAD CHANGED TO THE NORTHWEST WHEN HE BEGAN HIS TAKEOFF ROLL. NO CONTROL PBLMS WERE ACKNOWLEDGED BY THE PLT AT ANY TIME DURING THIS EVENT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 CST
Nearest AirportIndependence (0nm N)
Runway36
Runway Length2570 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN4977P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRoger Billings
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-N2C · Reciprocating · 110
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 33 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 14 kt, gusting 21 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 30 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data