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

December 25, 2003 · Cessna 172RG · N4721R

Key West, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 25, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Key West, FL
Aircraft
Cessna 172RG
Tail Number
N4721R
Operator
Avion Jet Center
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA04LA038

On approach the pilot selected to extend the landing gear, but he did not get a green light to confirm all three landing gear were down and locked. He checked the electrical fuses and performed several cycles of gear extension with no change to the indication of the landing gear position. He pumped the emergency gear extension hand pump. He advised air traffic control and was instructed to perform several low fly-bys. Tower and fire rescue personnel visually verified that all three landing gear were down. As the airplane's main landing gear touched the runway in a soft field-landing configuration, the right main landing gear collapsed. The pilot stated that he pumped the emergency gear extension pump handle until he felt resistances. He could not remember how many strokes exactly he performed, somewhere from 2 to 3 strokes. The main landing gears were operationally checked once with the airplane's own battery power and twice with the emergency landing gear extension hydraulic hand pump for manual extension of landing gears. The main landing gears extended and locked into position within 12 to 15 pumps of the emergency landing gear extension hydraulic hand pump. No defects were observed in the operation of the extension and locking of the main landing gears by hand pump. An examination of the main landing left and right gear actuators and locking systems revealed no anomalies. Avion's chief flight instructor stated close to a month before the accident, on the accident airplane, he had to perform an emergency extension of the landing gear by the hand pump; more so, it took anywhere from 10 to 20 pumps to lower the gear and into the lock position. According to the chief pilot who checked out the pilot only verbal instructions on how to extend the landing gear by hand pump was given during the check ride in the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

Pilot's improper emergency landing gear extension procedure which resulted in the right main landing gear not locking in the down position subsequent right main landing gear collapsing on landing.

Full Narrative

On December 24, 2003, about 2030 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172RG, N4721R, registered to an individual and operated by Avion Jet Center, LLC, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight had the right main landing gear collapse during landing on runway 27 at Key West International Airport, Key West, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and an IFR flight plan was filed. The commercial-rated pilot and passenger received no injuries, and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The flight originated from St. Lucie County International Airport, Fort Pierce, Florida, on the same day about 1815. The pilot stated that he was cleared to land on runway 27 and when he selected to extend the landing gear, he did not get a green light to confirm all three landing gear were down and locked. He continued with the landing checklist in hope the landing gear light would illuminate. There was no light upon completion of the landing checklist, he checked the electrical fuses and performed several cycles of gear extension with no change to the indication of the landing gear position. He pumped the emergency gear extension hand pump. He informed the tower of the situation. The tower instructed him to perform several low fly-bys. Tower and fire rescue personnel visually verified that all three landing gear were down. As the airplane's main landing gear touched the runway in a soft field-landing configuration, the right main landing gear collapsed. The airplane veered off the runway to the right and came to a stop at a ditch. The pilot and passenger exited the airplane without assistance. In a later statement to NTSB, the pilot stated that he pumped the emergency gear extension pump handle until he felt resistances. He could not remember how many strokes exactly he performed, somewhere from 2 to 3 strokes. The airplane was removed from the accident site and relocated to a maintenance facility on the airport. On a later date, under NTSB and FAA supervision, the airplane was placed on jacks to perform a gear extension and retraction examination. The nose gear was isolated from the hydraulic system due to the extent of damage received in the accident. The main landing gears were operationally checked once with the airplane's own battery power and twice with the emergency landing gear extension hydraulic hand pump for manual extension of the landing gear. The main landing gears extended and locked into position within 12 to 15 pumps of the emergency landing gear extension hydraulic hand pump. No defects were observed in the operation of the extension and locking of the main landing gears by hand pump. An examination of the main landing left and right gear actuators and locking systems revealed no anomalies. Avion's chief flight instructor stated close to a month before the accident, on the accident airplane, he had to perform an emergency extension of the landing gear by the hand pump; more so, it took anywhere from 10 to 20 pumps to lower the gear and into the lock position. According to the chief pilot who checked out the pilot only verbal instructions on how to extend the landing gear by hand pump was given during the check ride in the airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:30 EST
Nearest AirportKey West International (0nm)
Runway27
Runway Length4801 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172RG
Tail NumberN4721R
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAvion Jet Center
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360 F1A6 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 43 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightNight
Wind340° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 66 F
Altimeter30.04 inHg
Observation Time02:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data