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

April 28, 2002 · Cessna 172S · N786SP

Daytona Beach, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 28, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Daytona Beach, FL
Aircraft
Cessna 172S
Tail Number
N786SP
Operator
Devacana Transport
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA02LA091

According to the pilot, upon landing, he flared the airplane, landed hard on the main landing gear, and bounced 3 to 4 times on the nose of the airplane. At the end of the runway he noticed that he had no elevator control. Examination of the airplane's control surfaces, after the accident revealed the elevators were found stuck in the down position due to impact damage causing the pilot's side control column to jam within the control yoke guide assembly, hindering fore and aft movement of the control column. There was no damage found to any of the control surfaces or any other part of the cabin structure.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot misjudged the landing flare, resulting in a hard landing, and damage to the airplane.

Full Narrative

On April 28, 2002, about 1040 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172S, N786SP, registered to an individual, made a hard landing at the Spruce Creek Airport, Daytona Beach Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. No flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged. The commercial-rated pilot and two passengers reported no injuries. The flight had departed from the same airport at 1010 en route to Palm Beach, Florida. According to the pilot, he taxied onto runway 23, and the airplane responded "as usual and we took off normally." After about 15 minutes of flight and level at 1,000 feet, a passenger wanted to return to the airport because of turbulence below clouds. He entered a left downwind for runway 23, and on short final he placed the flaps at 30 degrees, with an "approach speed of 70 knots." The pilot flared the airplane, landed hard, bounced and then impacted with the runway. He said he touched down on the "main wheels" then assumed a "nose down attitude," and bounced "3 to 4" times on the nose of the aircraft. He retarded the throttle to idle and retracted the flaps. At the end of the runway he noticed that he had "no elevator control." After shutting the engine off he noted that there was propeller damage, 1/2 inch at one tip, and 1 1/2 inches on the other tip. After the accident, examination of the airplane's control surfaces by the FAA and a representative of the aircraft manufacturer revealed the elevators were found stuck in the down position. The trim tab was positioned to the 10-degree tab up position. The elevator electric trim system and auto pilot system functioned without any discrepancies when tested. The flaps were found fully retracted. The firewall displayed impact damage and was found displaced upwards about 2 to 2 1/2 inches. The forward cabin floor was found displaced upwards. The left pilot control column was found jammed within the control yoke guide assembly, hindering fore and aft movement of the control column, but did not effect aileron or rudder travel. There was no damage found to any of the control surfaces or any other part of the cabin structure (See the copy of the Cessna Aircraft's Report, an attachment to this report).

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:40 EDT
Nearest AirportSpruce Creek (0nm)
Runway23
Runway Length4000 ft
Runway Width176 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172S
Tail NumberN786SP
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDevacana Transport
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-L2A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 51 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 49 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.18 inHg
Observation Time13:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data