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

November 21, 2004 · Cessna 172B · N7493X

Zephyrhills, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 21, 2004
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Zephyrhills, FL
Aircraft
Cessna 172B
Tail Number
N7493X
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA05CA032

The pilot stated that after refueling the airplane embarked and tried to start the airplane, and said that it would not start. He said he turned off the magneto switch, set the brakes, got out the airplane, and tried starting it by hand several times, but it would not start. After a brief distraction he said that when he again moved the propeller, all of a sudden the engine started operating immediately. He said the airplane moved forward and was heading toward the fuel tank, so he ran after it and grabbed the left strut to keep it from hitting the tank. He said the airplane proceeded between the fuel tank and the credit card machine, knocking him to the ground, and continued on, impacted two parked airplanes and two chain linked fences before stopping.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to set the parking brake and his improper starting procedure which resulted in an unattended aircraft running away after hand starting the engine and the airplane colliding with parked airplanes, incurring substantial damage.

Full Narrative

On November 21, 2004, about 1630 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172B, N7493X, registered to and operated by a private individual as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, impacted parked airplanes in Zephyrhills, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The private-rated pilot received serious injuries, and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The pilot stated that he had flown his airplane from Lakeland, Florida, to Zephyrhills, Florida, for fuel. After refueling he got in and tried to start the airplane, and said that it would not start. He said he turned off the magneto switch, set the brakes, got out the airplane, and tried starting it by hand several times, but it would not start. About that time a person drove up and asked him for directions, and after providing the person with information he said that when he next pulled the propeller, the engine started operating immediately, and its speed increased. The airplane started moving forward and the pilot said he jumped out of the way. He said it veered to the left and was heading toward the fuel tank, so the pilot said he ran after it and grabbed the left strut to keep it from hitting the tank. The airplane proceeded between the fuel tank and the credit card machine, and in the process the pilot said he was knocked to the ground. As the airplane continued on, the pilot said it impacted two parked airplanes, as well as two chain linked fences. The airplane's entanglement in the second fence caused the engine to cease operating, and as a result, the airplane stopped moving.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 EST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172B
Tail NumberN7493X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsTeledyne Continental · O-300-d · Reciprocating · 145

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 61 · Third Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 9 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55
Altimeter30.14 inHg
Observation Time16:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data