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

June 22, 2002 · Bellanca 7GCBC · N57391

Wasilla, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 22, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Wasilla, AK
Aircraft
Bellanca 7GCBC
Tail Number
N57391
Operator
Michael a Roberts
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC02LA059

The uncertificated pilot told a law enforcement officer during a telephone conversation that he was flying the accident airplane on a cross-country trip when he noted the fuel level was low. He elected to make a precautionary landing to refuel from a 5-gallon can of gasoline he had aboard. About 0330, in dusk conditions, he saw what he believed was an airstrip, and made an approach to land. During the approach, the airplane collided with a power line that was about 18 feet above the ground. The owner of the private airstrip told the NTSB investigator that the runway was still under construction, and that trees had recently been cut down on the approach end of the runway. He said when the trees were cut down, a power line was exposed that had been shrouded by the trees. A search of FAA records indicated that the pilot did not have a pilot's license or medical certificate.

NTSB Probable Cause

The unqualified pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing site which resulted in an in-flight collision with a power line. Factors associated with the accident are the unqualified pilot's failure to see and avoid a power line, an unmarked power line, and dusk light conditions.

Full Narrative

On June 22, 2002, about 0330 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped Bellanca 7GCBC airplane, N57391, sustained substantial damage when it collided with power lines while on final approach to a private airstrip, located about 9 miles northwest of Wasilla, Alaska. The solo, uncertificated pilot, reported no injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight departed Fairbanks, Alaska, at an unknown time, and was en route to Anchorage, Alaska. Dusk visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the vicinity of the accident site. No flight plan was filed. The NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC) spoke with an Alaska State Trooper sergeant on June 24; the trooper sergeant related he had a telephone conversation with the pilot on June 23. According to the trooper sergeant, the pilot said he was en route to Anchorage from Fairbanks, and was concerned that his fuel supply was low. The pilot decided to land at an unfamiliar airstrip and refuel the airplane from a gas can he had aboard. During the approach to land, the airplane struck unseen power lines, and collided with terrain. The trooper sergeant said other state troopers had responded to the scene, and discovered a power line wrapped around the nose and propeller of the airplane. The NTSB IIC contacted the owner of the private airstrip on June 25. The owner said the airstrip was in the process of being constructed and lengthened, and that he had cut down numerous trees that were in the approach path to the runway. He said that after he had cut the trees down, there was an exposed power line about 18 feet above the ground. The power line had previously been shrouded by trees, and was unmarked. The airstrip owner said it was this power line that the airplane struck. A search of FAA records indicated that the pilot did not have a pilot's license or medical certificate. Attempts to contact the pilot by the NTSB IIC have been unsuccessful. He did not return an NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report form.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time03:30 AKDT
Nearest AirportCiznek North (0nm ENE)
Runway18
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBellanca 7GCBC
Tail NumberN57391
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMichael a Roberts
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown · Unknown
Seats2

People & Injuries

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

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
WindCalm
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data