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

July 4, 2002 · Cessna 340A · N15FH

Bunnell, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 4, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Bunnell, FL
Aircraft
Cessna 340A
Tail Number
N15FH
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA02LA128

The pilot stated that the airplane had just received an annual inspection, and it was being flight tested. He said he had flown it for about 10 minutes, and upon returning to the airport for landing, he noted a "down and locked" indication for the nose gear and the left main landing gear, but there was no "down and locked" indication for the right main landing gear. He said he cycled the landing gear, did a "fly by" of the airport and queried personnel on the ground to verify the landing gear's condition, and departed the airport traffic pattern to perform the appropriate emergency checklist, but he said the stated landing gear indications persisted, and upon landing the right main gear collapsed, and the airplane exited the runway incurring damage. An FAA Inspector who conducted a postaccident examination of the airplane said that the right main landing gear extension tube had broken due to a weak/stretched over center spring.

NTSB Probable Cause

An improper maintenance inspection of the landing gear system by other maintenance personnel that resulted in a worn/loose over center spring for the right main landing gear being kept in service which caused the right main landing gear not to go over center and lock, which resulted in the right main landing gear collapsing and damage to the airplane.

Full Narrative

On July 4, 2002, about 1330 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 340A, N15FH, registered to and operated by a private individual, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, made a forced landing at Flagler County Airport, Bunnell, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane incurred substantial damage, and the airline transport-rated pilot and one passenger, received no injuries. The flight originated from Bunnell, Florida, the same day, about 1315. The pilot stated that he was conducting a test flight after the airplane's annual inspection, and he had flown for about 10 minutes, prior to returning to the airport. Upon his return to the airport for landing, he said he noted the absence of a "down and locked" indication for the right main gear, so he cycled the landing gear twice, and contacted airport operations to request a "fly by", so that an external examination of the landing gear could be made. He said that the "fly by," revealed that the landing gear appeared to be "down and locked", and he then departed the pattern to perform the emergency gear extension checklist, but still could not obtain a positive right main landing gear "down and locked" indication. He then returned for landing, and when all three landing gears touched the runway, the right main gear collapsed. The right propeller and wing tip contacted the ground, and the airplane departed the runway to the right, impacting taxiway lights before coming to rest, having incurred damage to its right wing, propeller, and tail section. An FAA Inspector who conducted a postaccident examination of the airplane said that the right main landing gear extension tube had broken due to a weak/stretched over center spring.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:30 EDT
Nearest AirportFlagler County (0nm)
Runway24
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 340A
Tail NumberN15FH
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsTeledyne Continental · TSIO-520 · Reciprocating · 285
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 45 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
Wind290° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter30.04 inHg
Observation Time13:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data