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

September 30, 2001 · Piper PA-28-151 · N5447F

Melbourne, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 30, 2001
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Melbourne, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-151
Tail Number
N5447F
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA01LA234

The pilot stated that during the landing rollout a gust of wind blew him off to the right. The pilot further stated that he attempted to go around by applying power, but the aircraft exited onto the grass, hit a ditch, rolled into the Palmetto shrubs, and collided with a 4-inch diameter pine, incurring substantial damage. According to the pilot, prior to the accident, there had been no mechanical failure or malfunction to the aircraft or any of its systems.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft during the landing rollout while landing in gusty crosswind conditions, which resulted in a ground swerve, and the aircraft exiting the runway and incurring substantial damage when it collided with a ditch.

Full Narrative

On September 30, 2001, about 1302 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA28-151, N5447F, registered to and operated by a private owner, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, lost control during the landing rollout at Melbourne, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The private-rated pilot and two passengers received no injuries, and the aircraft incurred substantial damage. The flight originated at Vero Beach, Florida, the same day, about 1215. The pilot stated that he was landing on runway 09L at Melbourne, Florida, and during the landing rollout a gust of wind from 360 degrees blew him off the runway from left to right. The pilot further stated that he was unable to immediately correct, so he attempted to go-around by applying power, but the aircraft exited onto the grass, hit a ditch, rolled into the Palmetto shrubs, and collided with a 4-inch diameter pine. The pilot said that as a result, some of the damage to the aircraft included damage to both sides of the fuselage forward of the tail, as well as damage to the propeller, the left stabilizer, the left wing tip, and the landing gear. According to the pilot, prior to the accident, there had been no mechanical failure or malfunction to the aircraft or any of its systems.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:02 EDT
Nearest AirportMelbourne International (0nm)
Runway09L
Runway Length6000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-151
Tail NumberN5447F
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E3D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 52 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
Wind50° @ 15 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter29.92 inHg
Observation Time16:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data