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

October 22, 2003 · Cessna 152 · N94445

Pierson, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 22, 2003
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Pierson, FL
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N94445
Operator
Phoenix East Aviation
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA04CA010

A student pilot was practicing ground maneuvers near Lake Disston, located near Pierson, Florida, while coming out of a left turn at 1,000 feet and an indicated airspeed of 90 knots the airplane experienced a bird strike. The CFI stated the windshield was missing and he could not maintain altitude after he applied full throttle. He declared an emergency and secured the engine. The airplane impacted the intended landing field nose first and came to a halt inverted. A representative from the Smithsonian Institution identified the bird as a Black Vulture, which has a weight range between 42 and 75 ounces.

NTSB Probable Cause

In flight collision with a bird, resulting in airplane not being able to maintain altitude and nosing over during a forced landing on unsuitable terrain.

Full Narrative

On October 22, 2003, about 1130 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N94445, registered to Daytona Aircraft Leasing Inc., and operated by Phoenix East Aviation Inc., as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, experienced a bird strike, forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing near Lake Disston, Pierson, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The commercial-rated pilot/certified flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot both reported minor injuries. The flight had departed from Daytona Beach, Florida, the same day at 1030. According to the FAA inspector at the scene, the airplane was found inverted, a quarter of the windshield was recovered, the nose and main landing gears were broken, the vertical stabilizer and bottom of fuselage were found buckled. A bird was found in the airplane. A feather was retained for identification of the bird. The CFI stated that the student was practicing ground reference maneuvers and at about 1130, at 1,000 feet at an indicated airspeed of 90 knots while coming out of a left turn, a "sudden loud noise followed by debris was felt in the cockpit." The CFI stated the airplane was missing the windshield and he could not maintain altitude after applying full throttle. The pilot declared an emergency and secured the engine. The airplane impacted a field nose first and came to a halt inverted. Dr. Carla Dove of the Smithsonian Institution, in Washington, DC, identified the feather to have belonged to a Black Vulture, which has a weight range between 42 and 75 ounces.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:30 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN94445
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPhoenix East Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-N2C · Reciprocating · 112
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 22 · Second Class · Minor
Crew 2Age 21 · First Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter29.88 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data