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

August 9, 2002 · Cessna 172M · N73461

Enterprise, AL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 9, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Enterprise, AL
Aircraft
Cessna 172M
Tail Number
N73461
Operator
Mc Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL02LA154

The pilot stated when he turned final for landing the VASI indicated that he was high. He slowed the airplane down, reacquired the VASI, and lowered the flaps to the full down position about 100 feet from the landing threshold. The airspeed indicated 60 knots and the airplane was about 30 feet high above the landing threshold with a high sink rate. He started his round out but his flare was late. The airplane collided with the runway, bounced about 6 feet into the air, pitched up, and to the left. He added power, the airplane collided with the runway hard, bounced, collided with the runway in a nose-down attitude on the nose gear and left main landing gear. Examination of the airplane after engine shutdown revealed the firewall was buckled.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's delayed flare on landing that resulted in a hard landing.

Full Narrative

On August 9, 2002, at 1015 central daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N73461, registered to Skyhawk Services Inc., operated by MC Aviation as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, landed hard on runway 05 at the Enterprise Municipal Airport, Enterprise, Alabama. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The private pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated from Mobile, Alabama, at 0825. The pilot stated he was landing to runway 05. He turned on final and the Visual Approach Slope Indicator ( VASI) indicated that the airplane was high on the glide slope. He slowed the airplane to 65 knots to reacquire the VASI. The flaps were lowered to 30-degrees about 300 feet from the landing threshold, and were lowered to the full down position about 100 feet from the threshold. The airspeed was 60 knots and he was 30 feet high over the threshold with a high sink rate. He started to round out but his flare was late. The airplane bounced about 6 feet in the air, pitched up, and to the left. He added power, the airplane collided with the runway hard, bounced, and collided with the runway in a nose-down attitude on the nose gear and left main landing gear. The airplane bounced again and started to rollout on the runway. He completed the after landing checklist, taxied to the ramp, and shut the engine down. Upon exiting the airplane, he noticed that both propeller blades tips were curled. The pilot did not report a mechanical problem with the airplane. Examination of the airplane revealed that the firewall was buckled.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:15 CDT
Nearest AirportEnterprise Municipal (0nm N)
Runway05
Runway Length5100 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172M
Tail NumberN73461
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMc Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320_E2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 44 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind130° @ 5 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter30.17 inHg
Observation Time13:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data