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 30, 2003 · North American T-28A · N14124

Houston, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 30, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Houston, TX
Aircraft
North American T-28A
Tail Number
N14124
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW03LA170

During landing, the airplane touched down at approximately 75 knots. When the nose wheel came down and touched, there was a "minor high frequency shimmy and the pilot immediately pulled the stick back and the shimmy stopped." As the airspeed bled off, the nose wheel came back in contact with the runway and "tracked straight down the runway." At approximately 15 - 18 knots, the airplane suddenly started to shimmy and was "so bad, the pilot couldn't even see." Examination of the airplane logbooks revealed the nose wheel shimmy damper was repacked prior to the last departure.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the nose wheel landing gear shimmy damper for undetermined reasons.

Full Narrative

On May 30, 2003, at 1400 central daylight time, a North American T-28A single-engine airplane, N14124, registered to and operated by a private individual, sustained substantial damage during landing roll at the West Houston Airport (IWS), near Houston, Texas. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The cross-country flight departed from the Richard Lloyd James Jr. Airport (RVS), near Tulsa, Oklahoma at 1200 and was destined for IWS. The 1,224-hour pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that while landing on runway 15, a 3,900-foot long asphalt runway, the airplane touched down at approximately 75 knots. When the nose wheel touched down, there was a "minor high frequency shimmy and he immediately pulled the stick back and the shimmy stopped." As the airspeed bled off, the nose wheel came back in contact with the runway and "tracked straight down the runway." At approximately 15 to 18 knots, the airplane suddenly started to shimmy "so bad, he couldn't even see." He stopped the airplane, and then taxied to the ramp to inspect the airplane. Examination of the aircraft by an FAA investigator, who responded to the site of the accident, revealed the nose gearbox, lower engine cowlings, and nose gear doors were damaged. Further inspection revealed the forward engine firewall was structurally damaged. Examination of the runway by the pilot revealed 9 1/2 nose wheel tire oscillation marks within a distance of 74 feet long.. Examination of the aircraft logbooks revealed the nose wheel shimmy damper was repacked prior to departing RVS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 CDT
Nearest AirportWest Houston Airport (0nm)
Runway15
Runway Length3953 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftNorth American T-28A
Tail NumberN14124
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsWright · R-1820-56S · Reciprocating · 1300
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 72 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data