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 11, 2002 · Cessna 170B · N3462C

San Diego, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 11, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
San Diego, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 170B
Tail Number
N3462C
Operator
William E Gamble
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX02LA159

The airplane veered off of the runway, ground looped, and impacted a ditch. The flight instructor reported that the student was flying as they entered the traffic pattern with the intention of performing touch-and-go pattern operations. Upon touchdown, the airplane veered to the right. By the time the flight instructor took the controls, the airplane was headed off of the runway. He added power in an attempt to abort the landing; however, the airplane veered off of the runway. The instructor noted that he let the student go too far before he intervened. He reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures. The winds at the time of the accident were from 300 degrees at 10 knots gusting to 15.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the dual student to maintain directional control of the airplane and the instructor's delayed the remedial action, which resulted in a ground loop. A factor in the accident was the gusting crosswind conditions.

Full Narrative

On May 11, 2002, at 1620 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 170B, N3462C, veered off runway 26R and ground looped after landing at the Brown Field Airport, San Diego, California. The airplane was operated by the flight instructor under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airline transport licensed flight instructor, and a dual primary student were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area instructional flight that originated from Gillespie Field, El Cajon, California, at 1515. No flight plan had been filed. The winds at the time of the accident were from 300 degrees at 10 knots gusting to 15. In a telephone interview with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge (IIC), the flight instructor reported that they entered the traffic pattern with the intention of performing touch-and-go pattern operations. The student was flying the airplane. When the airplane touched down, it began to veer to the right. By the time the flight instructor took the controls, the airplane was heading off the runway. He added power in an attempt to abort the landing. However, the airplane ground looped, impacted a ditch, and came to rest about 500 feet north of runway 26R on airport property. The instructor reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures. He noted that he let the student go too far before he intervened.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:20 PDT
Nearest AirportBrown Field (0nm)
Runway26R
Runway Length7999 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 170B
Tail NumberN3462C
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWilliam E Gamble
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300-C · Reciprocating · 145
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 59 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 37 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 10 kt, gusting 15 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 52
Altimeter29.95 inHg
Observation Time22:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data