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

May 4, 2002 · Cessna 310L · N1199L

Detroit, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 4, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Detroit, MI
Aircraft
Cessna 310L
Tail Number
N1199L
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI02LA127

While in cruise flight the airplane lost all electrical power and the pilot extended the landing gear using the emergency gear extension hand crank. During landing the main and nose landing gear collapsed resulting in substantial damage. According to the Cessna 310L Pilot Operating Handbook (POH), when the landing gear does not extend electrically the pilot is to rotate the emergency landing gear hand crank, "Clockwise four turns past point where gear down lights come on (approximately 52 turns)." Due to the electrical failure the gear position indicating lights were inoperative.

NTSB Probable Cause

The total failure of the electrical system, the landing gear indicating system not operating, and the unsuccessful emergency landing gear extension.

Full Narrative

On May 4, 2002, at 0810 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 310L, N1199L, owned and piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when the landing gear collapsed while landing on runway 33 (5,090 feet by 100 feet, dry/asphalt) at the Detroit City Airport (DET), Detroit, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan. The pilot and his two passengers reported no injuries. The flight departed DET at 0735 and was returning due to an in-flight electrical system failure. According to the pilot's written statement, the flight was intended to be a cross-country to Dekalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK), Atlanta, Georgia. The pilot reported that when he was handed-off to Toledo approach control he noticed that the instrument lights were blinking off and on. The pilot stated he informed Toledo approach control that he was having electrical problems and wanted to return to DET. The pilot reported while returning to DET the airplane lost all electrical power. The pilot stated, "Upon arriving at DET we hand crank[ed] the landing gear down, the landing gear did not lock." The pilot reported that during the landing the nose and main landing gear collapsed and the airplane swerved off the runway. According to the Cessna 310L Pilot Operating Handbook (POH), when the landing gear does not extend electrically the pilot is to rotate the emergency landing gear hand crank, "Clockwise four turns past point where gear down lights come on (approximately 52 turns)."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:10 EDT
Nearest AirportDetroit City Airport (0nm)
Runway33
Runway Length5090 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 310L
Tail NumberN1199L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-470-VO · Reciprocating · 270 | Continental · I0-470-VO · Reciprocating · 270
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 50 · Third Class · None
Crew 2Age 49 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 30 C
Altimeter30.29 inHg
Observation Time12:16
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data