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 4, 2004 · Cessna 172P · N55250

Englewood, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 4, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Englewood, CO
Aircraft
Cessna 172P
Tail Number
N55250
Operator
Flights
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN05LA031

During his third landing, the solo student pilot lost directional control of the airplane. The airplane struck a runway light and taxiway sign and came to rest upright off the left side of the runway. According to the pilot, the approach to runway was normal, and the airplane was aligned with the runway centerline. During the landing, the main landing gears touched down on the runway and then the nose landing gear touched down. Immediately after the nose wheel touched down on the runway, the airplane veered to the left. The pilot attempted to steer the airplane back to the right; however, the airplane did not respond to the pilot's rudder pedal inputs. Examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies with the airframe or nose wheel steering system.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.

Full Narrative

On December 4, 2004, approximately 1130 mountain standard time, a Cessna 172P single-engine airplane, N55250, sustained substantial damage when it impacted a taxiway sign and the nose gear collapsed following a loss of control during landing at Centennial Airport, Englewood, Colorado. The student pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was registered to EDB Air Inc., Wilsonville, Oregon, and operated by Flights Inc., Englewood, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The solo flight departed Centennial Airport approximately 1100. According to the pilot's statement, the accident occurred during his third landing. After takeoff from runway 17L, (10,002 feet long by 100 feet wide), the air traffic controller instructed the pilot to enter the standard traffic pattern to land on runway 17L. The approach to runway 17L was normal, and the airplane was aligned with the runway centerline. During the landing, the main landing gears touched down on the runway and then the nose landing gear touched down. Immediately after the nose wheel touched down on the runway, the airplane veered to the left. The pilot attempted to steer the airplane back to the right; however, the airplane did not respond to the pilot's rudder pedal inputs. Subsequently, the airplane struck a runway light and taxiway sign and came to rest upright off the left side of the runway. The pilot reported the wind was approximately 5 knots. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed the nose gear was collapsed and the firewall was buckled. No anomalies were noted with the airframe or nose wheel steering system. Numerous attempts to obtain a completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) by the pilot were unsuccessful.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:30 MST
Nearest AirportCentennial Airport (0nm N)
Runway17L
Runway Length10002 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172P
Tail NumberN55250
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorFlights
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D2J · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 30 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind120° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46 / 19 C
Altimeter29.88 inHg
Observation Time17:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data