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

May 5, 2001 · Maule M-7-235B · N744LS

Lake City, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 5, 2001
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Lake City, MI
Aircraft
Maule M-7-235B
Tail Number
N744LS
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI01LA132

The airplane nosed over during the water landing with the wheel extended. The pilot reported that after takeoff from the lake, he was unable to lower the landing gear in preparation for a hard surface landing. He returned to the lake where he recylced the gear and performed emergency procedures to verify the gear was retracted. The pilot reported that he thought the gear was retracted prior to touchdown. He reported that as he slowed the airplane, the force of the water pulled the landing gear down and the airplane nosed over. Inspection of the airplane after the accident revealed that the hydraulic line to the left gear had separated porting the hydraulic fluid. It was determined that the hydraulic line was not properly flared at the fitting.

NTSB Probable Cause

the improper installation of the left landing gear hydraulic line which allowed it to separate and port the hydraulic fluid. This resulted in the landing gear extending during a water landing.

Full Narrative

On May 5, 2001, at 1832 eastern daylight time, N744LS, a Maule M-7-235B floatplane, operated by a private pilot, flipped over and sank while landing on Lake Missaukee, near Lake City, Michigan. The pilot and two passengers received minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight originated from Lake Missaukee, at about 1815 eastern daylight time. The pilot reported that he departed Lake Missaukee en route to Cadillac, Michigan for fuel. He reported that upon lowering the gear in preparation for landing at Cadillac, he was unable to get a gear down indication. He then returned to Lake Missaukee to land. He reported that he cycled the landing gear selector and the circuit breaker four times. The pilot reported that prior to landing he pulled the circuit breakers, moved the selector to the gear up position, pumped the gear switch motor to the up position, pumped the gear hydraulic pump 15 to 20 times with positive pressure and turned the gear selector switch to off. He reported that he thought the gear was in the retracted position prior to landing. The pilot reported that upon landing as he slowed the airplane, the force of the water pulled the landing gear down and the airplane nosed over. Inspection of the airplane after the accident revealed that the hydraulic line to the left gear had separated porting the hydraulic fluid. It was determined that the hydraulic line was not properly flared at the fitting.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:32 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMaule M-7-235B
Tail NumberN744LS
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540 · Reciprocating · 235
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 43 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind110° @ 14 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 23 C
Altimeter30.22 inHg
Observation Time22:35
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data