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

March 16, 2004 · Piper PA-30 · N572AS

Galveston, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 16, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Galveston, TX
Aircraft
Piper PA-30
Tail Number
N572AS
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW04LA095

The twin-engine airplane skidded off the runway 31 following a loss of directional control while landing downwind. The 580-hour pilot reported that the final approach was "normal." As the aircraft touched down on Runway 31, the main landing gear hit first, followed by the nose landing gear. After the nose wheel touched-down, the airplane immediately began to feel "squirrelly," and the inputs to the rudder "seemed" to be ineffective. The pilot stated that the brakes "locked up." The aircraft slid for approximately 350 feet and veered off the right side of the runway into an embankment. The winds at the airport at the time of the accident were reported from 130 degrees at 7 knots. Flight control continuity was established and no anomalies were found with the airframe.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. A factor was the pilot's failure to evaluate the wind, prior to landing downwind.

Full Narrative

On March 16, 2004, at 1400 central standard time, a Piper PA-30 twin-engine airplane, N572AS, registered to and operated by Aerial Survey, Inc., of Galveston, Texas, was substantially damaged following a loss of directional control while landing at the Scholes International Airport (GLS), near Galveston, Texas. The commercial pilot and pilot-rated passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a company visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated at 0945. The 580-hour pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that the final approach was "normal." As the aircraft touched down on Runway 31, the main landing gear hit first, followed by the nose landing gear. After the nose wheel touched-down, the airplane immediately began to feel "squirrelly," and the inputs to the rudder "seemed" to be ineffective. The pilot stated that the brakes "locked up." The aircraft slid for approximately 350 feet and veered off the right side of the runway into an embankment. In a separate statement provided by the operator, the pilot-rated passenger stated that the pilot purchased a block of time from the operator to gain flight experience as a pilot in command of a twin-engine airplane and that he accompanied the pilot-in-command (PIC) as an observer. He reported that the PIC was the sole manipulator of the controls. The pattern entry was "normal," the downwind leg was "normal," and the pre-landing checks were completed. On the base leg, the PIC called for flaps and 10 degrees of flaps were deployed and visually verified. The final leg was "normal," and approach speed "appeared" to be correct, along with the alignment to the runway. Runway touchdown was "normal." During the rollout, the PIC lost directional control and applied "heavy" brake pressure, locking them up. As the airplane exited the runway, the pilot-rated passenger ensured that the throttles were closed. The airplane came to rest after skidding off the runway and into the grass. Runway 31 was 6,000 feet long by 150 feet wide. The runway surface was reported to be in fair condition, with the first 1,300 feet of the runway concrete, and the remaining runway surface asphalt. The reported winds at GLS at the time of the accident were from 130 degrees at 7 knots. Examination of the aircraft by a FAA airworthiness inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed structural damage to the right wing spar, and the right main landing gear was collapsed. Flight control continuity was established and no anomalies were found.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 CST
Nearest AirportScholes International (0nm)
Runway31
Runway Length6000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-30
Tail NumberN572AS
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-320 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 22 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind130° @ 7 kt
Visibility9 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter30.03 inHg
Observation Time19:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data