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

April 19, 2003 · Cessna 170B · N118F

Randolph, NY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 19, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Randolph, NY
Aircraft
Cessna 170B
Tail Number
N118F
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
IAD03LA047

According to the pilot, prior to the takeoff attempt, the glare from the setting sun obscured his view, and he aligned the airplane "too far south of the centerline." During the takeoff roll, the airplane struck a tree which bordered the east-west runway's southern edge. The pilot applied the brakes, and the airplane nosed over. No mechanical anomalies were observed with the airplane, and winds, at an airport 17 miles to the east, were from the south at 7 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to attain/maintain proper runway alignment. A factor in the accident was the sun glare.

Full Narrative

On April 19, 2003, at 1900 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 170B, N118F, was substantially damaged when it impacted a tree during an attempted takeoff at Randolph Airport (D85), Randolph, New York. The certificated private pilot was uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a telephone interview, the pilot stated that he was attempting to take off to the west, with the intention of flight in the local traffic pattern. He stated that the setting sun obscured his vision during the takeoff, and approximately 400 feet into the takeoff roll, the airplane's left wing clipped a tree. The airplane then swerved to the left, the pilot applied the brakes, and the airplane nosed over. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the airplane, and noted that he was aligned "too far south of the centerline" during the takeoff. The pilot described the runway as a 100-foot-wide by 2,400-foot-long turf strip aligned along an east-west heading, with trees that bordered the runway's south side, effectively narrowing the runway to 90 feet in some places. Weather conditions reported at Jamestown, 17 miles east of the accident site, at 1855, included winds from 170 degrees true at 7 knots and clear skies. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed substantial damage to the left wing spar.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:00 EDT
Nearest AirportRandolph Airport (0nm)
Runway270
Runway Length2400 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 170B
Tail NumberN118F
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-145 · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 66 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind170° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 46
Altimeter30.20 inHg
Observation Time22:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data