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

February 28, 2003 · Cessna 152 · N170SU

Columbus, OH

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 28, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Columbus, OH
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N170SU
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC03LA059

A flight instructor and student pilot had been performing touch and go landings on runway 27R, which was 2,994 feet long and 100 feet wide. During the accident approach, the student had set 20 degrees of flaps and established 62 knots of indicated airspeed. The CFI observed the airplane descend below the "glidepath," and instructed the student pilot to add power. After a few seconds, the student added about 50 rpms of power, and the CFI told the student to add more power. When the student didn't respond, the CFI attempted to add power himself; however, the student's hand remained over the throttle, and he was unable to add power. The CFI then started to flare the airplane for landing. The airplane touched down about 20 feet prior to the runway in snow, where it pitched forward on its nose, and the nose gear collapsed. The winds at the airport were reported to be calm.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's misjudgment of distance/altitude and the instructor's delayed remedial action,

Full Narrative

On February 28, 2003, at 1121 eastern standard time, a Cessna 152, N170SU, was substantially damaged during landing at the Ohio State University Airport (OSU), Columbus, Ohio. The certificated flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that originated at OSU. No flight plan had been filed for the instructional flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the CFI, they had been performing touch and go landings to runway 27R, which was 2,994 feet long and 100 feet wide. During the accident approach, the student had set 20 degrees of flaps and established 62 knots of indicated airspeed. The CFI observed the airplane descend below the "glidepath," and instructed the student pilot to add power. After a few seconds, the student added about 50 rpms of power, and the CFI told the student to add more power. When the student didn't respond, the CFIs attempted to add power himself; however, the student's hand remained over the throttle, and he was unable to add power. The CFI then started to flare the airplane for landing. The airplane touched down about 20 feet prior to the runway in snow, where it pitched forward on its nose, and the nose gear collapsed. The airplane came to rest about 30 feet beyond the approach end of the runway. A weather observation taken at 1125, included clam winds.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:21 EST
Nearest AirportOhio State University (0nm)
Runway27R
Runway Length2994 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN170SU
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 110
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 24 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 21 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility9 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point32 C / 45 C
Altimeter30.10 inHg
Observation Time16:25
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data