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 19, 2001 · Cessna 172SP · N43PD

Austell, GA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 19, 2001
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (1 serious injury, 2 minor injuries)
Location
Austell, GA
Aircraft
Cessna 172SP
Tail Number
N43PD
Operator
Fulton Flight Services
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL01LA023

According to the CFI , he and his dual student were conducting instrument training. Upon establishing radio contact with approach control, the pilots were given current weather, and they were told that the glide slope for runway 8 was inoperative. While on a two mile final approach, the pilot reported that, the vertical speed indicator (VSI) abruptly showed a climb and then a descent while airspeed increased. The pilot selected the alternate static source and initiated a go-around. The airplane collided with trees two miles west of the airport. Weather minimums for the ILS rwy 8 (S-LOC ) are 800 feet with 3/4 mile visibility. The recorded weather at the airport at the time of the accident was 300 feet overcast with 2 miles visibility. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the pitot static system sustained impact and fire damage. The wreckage examination also revealed that the engine had also sustained fire damage.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilots failure to follow instrument flight procedures and descended below the published the minimum descent altitude and subsequently collided with trees short of the runway.

Full Narrative

On January 18, 2001, at 2307 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172SP, N43PD, collided with trees on final approach while conducting an ILS approach to runway 8 at Fulton County Airport in Atlanta, Georgia. The instrument training flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with an instrument flight plan filed. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was destroyed, and there was a post-impact fire. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and rear-seated passenger received minor injuries, and the dual-student received serious injuries. The flight departed Lovell Field in Chattanooga, Tennessee, at 2200 hours. The CFI stated that the purpose of the flight was to allow the dual student and the passenger to observe instrument flying instrument procedures in real instrument weather conditions. According to the CFI, he and his dual-student were conducting instrument training when they elected to return to Fulton County Airport. Upon establishing radio contact with Atlanta Approach Control, the pilots were given current weather and told that the glide slope for runway 8 was inoperative. The flight was subsequently cleared for the ILS approach to runway 8. While on a two-mile final approach, the pilot reported, the vertical speed indicator (VSI) abruptly showed a climb and then a descent while airspeed increased. The CFI reported that because of the abrupt instrument indications, he selected the alternate static source and initiated a go-around. The pilot stated that at approximately time of the attempted go-around, the airplane collided with trees two miles west of the airport. According to the dual-student, during the final approach, the CFI asked him and the rear seated passenger to look outside the airplane to see if they could see anything. He then stated that he was looking at the ground lights when he heard the CFI say " he was going to alternate static". Shortly after the CFI switched to the alternate static source the rear-seated passenger saw fire around the airplane, and the airplane began shaking violently. The rear-seated passenger then stated he was on the ground, and the wings of the airplane were on fire. Recovered weather data showed low clouds at 300 feet and reduced visibility with rain prevailed at the destination airport at the time of the accident. Radar tracking data showed the airplane in a stable descent on approach. The airplane was descending from 3000 feet in 100-foot increments leveling off at 1600 feet then to 1500 feet, and then down to 1300 feet. Prior to the CFI's report of pitot static problems, there were no other airplane problems reported. Examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane collided with100-foot tall trees 336 west of the ground impact. Examination of the wreckage showed that the pitot static system had sustained extensive impact and fire damage. Further examination revealed that the engine sustained fire damage. Weather minimums for the ILS runway rwy 8 (S-LOC ) are 800 feet with 3/4 mile visibility. The recorded weather at the airport at the time of the accident was 300 feet overcast with 2 miles visibility. At 2307, the tower controller reported a low altitude warning and questioned the pilot about his altitude on final, there was no response.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time23:07 EST
Nearest AirportFulton County (3nm E)
Runway08
Runway Length5796 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172SP
Tail NumberN43PD
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorFulton Flight Services
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-L2A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (1 serious injury, 2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 31 · Second Class · Minor
Crew 2Age 28 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind80° @ 3 kt
Visibility2 sm
CeilingOvercast 300 ft
Temperature / Dew Point48 / 48
Altimeter29.93 inHg
Observation Time09:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data