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

February 16, 2001 · Bellanca 7GCBC · N36266

Fairbanks, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 16, 2001
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Fairbanks, AK
Aircraft
Bellanca 7GCBC
Tail Number
N36266
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC01LA037

The commercial certificated pilot/flight instructor, and the student pilot, were conducting touch and go landings in a ski-equipped airplane during the student's first flight. The flight instructor demonstrated a variety of aerial maneuvers, and then landed on a frozen lake. The lake was covered with about two feet of snow. The instructor performed two additional takeoff and landings and then stopped. He placed the student pilot in the front seat and got into the rear seat. The instructor had the student taxi the airplane and then perform several takeoff and landings. The flight instructor then took over the flight controls and landed at a different lake, establishing a new set of ski landing tracks in the snow. The student pilot then performed two additional takeoff and landings. On the third landing approach to the new location, the airplane was established on a normal glide path. About 2 to 4 feet above the ground, the student suddenly pushed forward on the control stick and applied almost full right rudder. The instructor was unable to prevent the airplane from colliding with the snow in a nose down attitude. The airplane nosed over and received damage to the wings, wing spars, lift struts, and vertical stabilizer.

NTSB Probable Cause

The flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight during the landing flare. A factor in the accident was the student's abrupt airplane control.

Full Narrative

On February 16, 2001, about 1500 Alaska standard time, a ski equipped Bellanca 7GCBC airplane, N36266, sustained substantial damage during landing on a frozen lake, about 15 miles south of Fairbanks, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area instructional flight when the accident occurred. The airplane is registered to the student pilot. The commercial certificated pilot/flight instructor, and the student pilot, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A VFR flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Fairbanks International Airport, Fairbanks, about 1400. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on February 20, 2001, the flight instructor reported the accident flight was the first flight with the student. The flight departed Fairbanks with the instructor seated in the front seat. He flew to an area along the Tanana River where he had previously conducted numerous takeoff and landings. The flight instructor demonstrated a variety of aerial maneuvers, and then landed on a frozen lake. The lake was covered with about two feet of snow. The instructor performed two additional takeoff and landings and then stopped. He placed the student pilot in the front seat and got into the rear seat. The instructor had the student taxi the airplane and then perform several takeoff and landings. The flight instructor then took over the flight controls and landed at a different lake, establishing a new set of ski landing tracks in the snow. The student pilot then performed two additional takeoff and landings. On the third landing approach to the new location, the airplane was established on a normal glide path. About 2 to 4 feet above the ground, the student suddenly pushed forward on the control stick and applied almost full right rudder. The instructor was unable to prevent the airplane from colliding with the snow in a nose down attitude. The airplane nosed over and received damage to the wings, wing spars, lift struts, and vertical stabilizer.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 AKST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBellanca 7GCBC
Tail NumberN36266
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2B · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 47 · Second Class · None
Crew 2None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point19 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data