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

October 8, 2001 · Cessna 152 · N4768Q

Greenville, NC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 8, 2001
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Greenville, NC
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N4768Q
Operator
Midlands Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA02LA005

The pilot stated that the planned flight duration was 2 hours 45 minutes; approximately 3 hours into the flight he elected to divert to the Pitt-Greenville Airport due to fuel concerns. When near the airport he called on UNICOM which reported that the wind varied from the west/northwest direction at 10 knots. He entered the traffic pattern for runway 02 which was the active runway and elected to land with no flaps extended. He crabbed the airplane into the wind on final approach then when starting to flare, he lowered the left wing and applied right rudder input to align the longitudinal axis of the airplane with the runway. He further stated that the wind shifted suddenly at the time the left main landing gear contacted the runway which made a squealing sound. The right main landing gear then contacted the runway also making a squealing sound. The nose landing gear then touched down and collapsed and the airplane veered to the right coming to rest with the left wingtip contacting the runway. An automated METAR observation taken at 1300 hours local indicates in part that the wind was from 030 degrees at 11 knots with gusts to 14 knots. Post accident examination of the normal brake system revealed no discrepancies. Additionally, the main landing gear tires did not exhibit any evidence of flat spots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The improper flare by the pilot-in-command resulting in a hard landing and subsequent collapse of the nose landing gear due to overload.

Full Narrative

On October 8, 2001, about 1312 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N4768Q, registered to Jim Hamilton Aircraft, Inc., operated by Midlands Aviation Corporation, experienced a loss of control while landing at the Pitt-Greenville Airport, Greenville, North Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private-rated pilot and one passenger were not injured. The flight originated about 0950 hours from Columbia Owens Downtown Airport, Columbia, South Carolina. The pilot stated that the planned flight duration was 2 hours 45 minutes; approximately 3 hours into the flight he elected to divert to the Pitt-Greenville Airport due to fuel concerns. When near the airport he called on UNICOM, which reported that the wind varied from the west/northwest direction at 10 knots. He entered the traffic pattern for runway 02 which was the active runway and elected to land with no flaps extended. He crabbed the airplane into the wind on final approach then when starting to flare, he lowered the left wing and applied right rudder input to align the longitudinal axis of the airplane with the runway. He further stated that the wind shifted suddenly at the time the left main landing gear contacted the runway which made a squealing sound. The right main landing gear then contacted the runway also making a squealing sound. The nose landing gear then touched down and collapsed and the airplane veered to the right coming to rest with the left wing tip contacting the runway. The pilot initially verbally reported after the accident that the brakes locked up when the left main landing gear first contacted the runway. An automated METAR observation taken at 1300 hours local indicates in part that the wind was from 030 degrees at 11 knots with gusts to 14 knots. Postaccident examination of the normal brake system by a mechanic not associated with the operation of the airplane revealed no discrepancies; the main landing gear tires were not flat spotted. The parking brake assembly was found to be inoperative due to missing components. A copy of the inspection report is an attachment to this report.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:12 EDT
Nearest AirportPitt-Greenville (0nm)
Runway02
Runway Length6500 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN4768Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMidlands Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 110
Seats2

People & Injuries

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

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind40° @ 8 kt, gusting 14 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 32 C
Altimeter30.51 inHg
Observation Time16:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data