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 13, 2004 · Piper PA-28R-200 · N15118

Peru, IL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 13, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Peru, IL
Aircraft
Piper PA-28R-200
Tail Number
N15118
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI04LA087

The airplane was substantially damaged when the dual student inadvertently selected the landing gear lever during landing rollout. The right main gear subsequently collapsed and the airplane departed the right side of the runway. The dual student reported that after landing the instructor asked him to raise the flaps. He stated that he inadvertently selected the gear switch instead of the flap lever. He noted: "The gear switch was not moved to the complete up position before the instructor announced and I realized my error." The right main landing gear collapsed, causing the aircraft to veer to the right and off the side of the runway. The nose gear subsequently collapsed and the aircraft came to rest in the grass adjacent to the runway. During a post-accident inspection, the landing gear system was activated by using the cockpit gear switch and the landing gear retracted and extended as designed. The squat switch was determined to be installed and adjusted in accordance with the manufacturer's requirements. Electrical functionality of the switch was tested and no anomalies were observed.

NTSB Probable Cause

The inadvertent landing gear retraction by the dual student during the landing roll.

Full Narrative

On March 13, 2004, about 1530 central standard time, a Piper PA-28R-200, N15118, piloted by a flight instructor and a dual student, was substantially damaged when the right main landing gear collapsed during landing rollout on runway 18 (6,000 feet by 100 feet, asphalt), at the Illinois Valley Regional Airport (VYS), Peru, Illinois. The dual student was a non-current private pilot receiving instruction in preparation for a flight review. The instructional flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight instructor, dual student and passenger did not report any injuries. The local flight departed VYS approximately 1400. In his written statement, the dual student reported that they had practiced airwork in the local area prior to returning to VYS. He noted that the landing was smooth and after about a 300-foot ground roll, the instructor asked him to raise the flaps. He stated that he "inadvertently reached for the gear switch on the front panel instead of the flap lever between the seats. The gear switch was not moved to the complete up position before the instructor announced and I realized my error." He reported that the right main landing gear collapsed and the aircraft veered off the right side of the runway. The nose gear subsequently collapsed before the aircraft came to a stop. The flight instructor, in his written statement, reported that the dual student landed the aircraft "very smooth" on the runway centerline. He stated that during the landing roll he asked the student to raise the flaps, however, the student "accidentally grabbed the landing gear lever, probably pulling it at least partially out." A Federal Aviation Administration inspector conducted a post-accident inspection. With the aircraft elevated on jacks stands, the landing gear system was activated by using the cockpit gear switch and the landing gear retracted and extended as designed. The squat switch was determined to be installed and adjusted in accordance with the manufacturer's requirements. Electrical functionality of the switch was tested and no anomalies were observed.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:30 CST
Nearest AirportIllinois Valley Regional (0nm N)
Runway18
Runway Length6000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28R-200
Tail NumberN15118
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-C1C · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 51 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 63 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 18 kt, gusting 22 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 8000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 23 C
Altimeter30.17 inHg
Observation Time22:05
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data