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 23, 2004 · Cessna 152 · N856ER

Mesa, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 23, 2004
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Mesa, AZ
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N856ER
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX05LA013

The airplane veered off the runway and collapsed the nose landing gear during the takeoff portion of a touch-and-go landing. The airplane drifted to the left side of the runway after the pilot applied power. He added right rudder in an attempt to compensate, but the airplane continued to the left. The pilot added brake pressure as the airplane left the paved surface and the nose landing gear collapsed. The pilot indicated he should apply right rudder in preparation for full-throttle application to maintain control of the airplane and prevent another accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during a touch-and-go takeoff.

Full Narrative

On October 23, 2004, at 1348 mountain standard time, a Cessna 152 single engine airplane, N856ER, veered off the runway and collapsed the nose landing gear during a touch-and-go takeoff at Falcon Field Airport, Mesa, Arizona. The airplane was registered to, and operated by, Eagle's Roost Aviation, Mesa, under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 as a solo instructional flight. The airplane was substantially damaged. The student pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the local flight that originated approximately 1330. According to the student pilot, he was on his initial solo flight conducting touch-and-go takeoffs and landings. During the last takeoff from runway 22R, the student pilot applied full throttle. The airplane started to drift to the left side of the runway. The pilot applied right rudder to compensate, but the airplane continued drifting to the left. He added brake pressure, which only resulted in the airplane nosing down after it left the runway surface. According to first responders, the nose wheel was torn from the airplane and came to rest 30 feet from the airplane's final resting place. The cowling was crushed and compressed, and the firewall sustained damage. The wind at the time of the accident was from 170 degrees at 8 knots. The pilot accumulated a total of 32.2 hours of flight time at the time of the accident. In the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB 6120.1/2), under the section titled "Recommendation (How Could This Accident Have Been Prevented)," the pilot wrote that he needed "to apply the right rudder in preparation for full-throttle to maintain control of the airplane."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:48 MST
Nearest AirportFalcon Field (0nm)
Runway22R
Runway Length3801 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN856ER
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 110
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 47 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 8 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point37 C
Altimeter29.93 inHg
Observation Time20:48
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data