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 12, 1982 · Cessna 172P · N53442

Sanford, ME

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 12, 1982
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (2 serious injuries, 1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Sanford, ME
Aircraft
Cessna 172P
Tail Number
N53442
Operator
New England Aviation
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC82FA091

A Piper PA-28, N81029, and a Cessna 172P, N53442, were approaching to land on runway 14, when they collided about 1000 ft from the threshold. The pilot of the Piper stated that he had entered the traffic pattern and began to explain the mechanics of the pattern to his daughter. After making a normal landing, he made a "runway takeoff" and began a second pattern. He stated when he was on base leg for his second landing, he heard another pilot call on a left downwind. Reportedly, he then transmitted that he was on base and continued looking for other traffic. On final approach he saw the shadow of N53442 on his plane just before impact. The Cessna pilot reported that he had tracked to the radio beacon, and after beacon passage, started a long final approach. Reportedly, he called on a long final approach about 2 miles out and looked for other aircraft. Just prior to collision, he saw the Piper converging from below. After impact, he had partial control till he crashed, landed in a parking lot, and hit a car. N81029 crashed in uncontrolled descent.

Full Narrative

A PIPER PA-28, N81029, AND A CESSNA 172P, N53442, WERE APPROACHING TO LAND ON RUNWAY 14, WHEN THEY COLLIDED ABOUT 1000 FT FROM THE THRESHOLD. THE PILOT OF THE PIPER STATED THAT HE HAD ENTERED THE TRAFFIC PATTERN AND BEGAN TO EXPLAIN THE MECHANICS OF THE PATTERN TO HIS DAUGHTER. AFTER MAKING A NORMAL LANDING, HE MADE A "RUNWAY TAKEOFF" AND BEGAN A SECOND PATTERN. HE STATED WHEN HE WAS ON BASE LEG FOR HIS SECOND LANDING, HE HEARD ANOTHER PILOT CALL ON A LEFT DOWNWIND. REPORTEDLY, HE THEN TRANSMITTED THAT HE WAS ON BASE AND CONTINUED LOOKING FOR OTHER TRAFFIC. ON FINAL APPROACH HE SAW THE SHADOW OF N53442 ON HIS PLANE JUST BEFORE IMPACT. THE CESSNA PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD TRACKED TO THE RADIO BEACON, AND AFTER BEACON PASSAGE, STARTED A LONG FINAL APPROACH. REPORTEDLY, HE CALLED ON A LONG FINAL APPROACH ABOUT 2 MILES OUT AND LOOKED FOR OTHER AIRCRAFT. JUST PRIOR TO COLLISION, HE SAW THE PIPER CONVERGING FROM BELOW. AFTER IMPACT, HE HAD PARTIAL CTL TIL HE CRASH LNDD IN A PARKING LOT & HIT A CAR. N81029 CRASHED IN UNCTLD DSCNT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:15 EDT
Nearest AirportSanford Municipal (0nm N)
Runway14
Runway Length4100 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172P
Tail NumberN53442
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorNew England Aviation
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-O2J · Reciprocating · 160 | Lycoming · O-320-D36 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (2 serious injuries, 1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total4
Crew 1Age 26 · Second Class
Crew 2Age 44 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 6 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point13 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time15:46

Appendix: Source Data