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 12, 2001 · Cessna 172 · N5385J

Perkasie, PA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 12, 2001
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Perkasie, PA
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N5385J
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
IAD02LA004

The pilot stated that as he flared the airplane for landing, the sun glare caused the windshield to "turn completely white." The airplane sank "slightly faster than expected," touched down, and bounced, damaging the firewall. The pilot reported 110 hours of total flight experience, 2 hours of which were in make and model. He also reported no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing. A factor was the sun glare.

Full Narrative

On October 12, 2001, at 1720 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172, N5385J, was substantially damaged during a landing at the Pennridge Airport (N70), Perkasie, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a telephone interview, the pilot stated that he departed the Perkiomen Valley Airport (N10), Collegeville, Pennsylvania, about 1610, and flew to N70 to practice touch-and-go landings on a "larger" runway. In a written statement he said: "...As I turned final, I picked up considerable amount of sun glare on windshield; it was annoying but not distractive. The sun was low in the sky and directly off the end of runway 26. It was late afternoon but still a bright clear day. Windshield seemed to be full of small fractures that turned the entire windshield milky white in the sun. Continued my descent on final approach, put in 30 degrees of flaps, VASI lights were slightly hard to see but visible and they indicated that I was on the glide path. During final, the glare on windshield was not getting any worse. I reduced power and was holding approximately 65 knots. As I entered my flare and the nose of the aircraft came up, the sun was now positioned right into the windshield causing it to turn completely white. Visibility was very bad. As I slowed down I had to look out my side window to determine my height above the runway. As I did this, the aircraft sunk slightly faster then I had expected and the aircraft touched down and bounced. As I was trying to maintain directional control the aircraft bounced one or two more times. The contacts with the runway did not indicate any type of damage had occurred and it was not until the aircraft slowed down that it seemed as though the nose tire was flat. I let the aircraft come to a stop, the engine was running normally and there were no abnormal vibrations. I wanted to clear the runway even though there didn't appear to be anybody in the pattern. I taxied slowly back to the hangar area and shut the engine down and exited the airplane." The pilot reported 110 hours of total flight experience, 2 hours of which were in make and model. He also reported no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane. The airplane was examined by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector. According to the inspector, the firewall and floorboard of the airplane sustained substantial damage. Weather reported at Naval Air Station Willow Grove (NXX), Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, at 1655, included variable winds at 6 knots, 7 miles visibility, few clouds at 4,000 feet, and overcast clouds at 20,000 feet.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:20 EDT
Nearest AirportPennridge Airport (0nm)
Runway26
Runway Length4215 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN5385J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 40 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind6 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingOvercast 20000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point54
Altimeter30.09 inHg
Observation Time20:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data