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

August 4, 2001 · Cessna 172L · N7821G

Parkersburg, WV

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 4, 2001
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Parkersburg, WV
Aircraft
Cessna 172L
Tail Number
N7821G
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC01LA203

While landing, the airplane bounced, and the student pilot applied power to "even it out a little." The airplane touched back down on the main landing gear and began to pull to the right. The student pilot applied power and aborted the landing. As the airplane began to climb, the student pilot observed trees in front of him, and realized that the airplane would not climb over them, and aborted the takeoff. The airplane impacted the trees and came to rest on its right side. A witness stated that he observed the airplane about 20 feet above the runway, "in a real high nose attitude or a high angle of attack." The airplane did not appear to gain any altitude for about 75 percent of the runway.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's failure to obtain a proper rate of climb, resulting in a collision with trees.

Full Narrative

On August 4, 2001, about 1715 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172L, N7821G, was substantially damaged during an aborted landing at the Wood County Airport (PKB), Parkersburg, West Virginia. The certificated student pilot sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the student pilot, after he was cleared to land on runway 03, he began to feel ill and decided to land on runway 10. As the airplane touched down, it bounced, and the student pilot applied power to "even it out a little." The airplane touched back down on the main landing gear and began to pull to the right. The student pilot thought he was going to run off the right side of the runway and applied power to abort the landing. As the airplane began to climb, the student pilot observed trees in front of him, and realized that the airplane would not climb over them. He then elected to land the airplane in a clearing prior to the trees. The airplane passed over the clearing and impacted the trees, then came to rest on its right side. A witness stated that he observed the airplane about 20 feet above the runway, "in a real high nose attitude or a high angle of attack." The airplane did not appear to gain any altitude for about 75 percent of the runway. The witness then lost sight of the airplane as it passed by a hangar. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the wreckage after the accident and observed the flaps in the "retracted position." No abnormalities were observed with the airframe or engine. The winds reported at PKB, about the time of the accident, were variable at 3 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:15 EDT
Nearest AirportWood County Airport (0nm)
Runway10
Runway Length4000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172L
Tail NumberN7821G
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E-2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 50 · Third Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 6500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter29.98 inHg
Observation Time21:25
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data