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

April 8, 2005 · Cessna 152 · N68472

Stillwater, OK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 8, 2005
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Stillwater, OK
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N68472
Operator
Oklahoma State University Flight Center
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DFW05CA101

A 26-hour student pilot was practicing takeoffs and landings on his second solo flight. On his fifth solo landing, he touched down slightly to the right of the center line. He felt the main wheels touch down, followed by the nose wheel. At that time, "the airplane made a sharp turn to the left." The student pilot thought that he still had some throttle in, and he applied right rudder. He "felt the airplane tip to the left" and was afraid that the airplane "might tip over," so he proceeded off the runway. After exiting the runway, the left main landing gear collided with an airport directional sign. The airplane then came to a stop. The pilot performed the proper shut-down procedures, contacted the tower to report the accident, and exited the airplane, uninjured. When asked how this accident could have been prevented, the pilot stated, "proper use of the rudder pedals to maintain center line."

NTSB Probable Cause

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

Full Narrative

On April 8, 2005, about 1830 central daylight time, a Cessna 152 single-engine airplane, N68472, sustained substantial damage while landing at the Stillwater Regional Airport (SWO), near Stillwater, Oklahoma. The student pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was owned by Christiansen Aviation, Inc., of Wilmington, Delaware, and operated by Oklahoma State University, of Stillwater, Oklahoma. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the solo instructional flight. The local flight originated at SWO, approximately 1745. In a telephone conversation with an NTSB representative, the 26-hour student pilot reported that prior to his departure from SWO on his second solo flight, he performed four takeoffs and landings on Runway 17 (a 7,401 by 100-feet asphalt runway) at SWO with his instructor on board. The student then dropped off the instructor and proceeded to make four successful solo landings on Runway 17 at SWO. He reported that on his fifth solo landing, he touched down slightly to the right of the center line. He felt the main wheels touch down, followed by the nose wheel. At that time, "the airplane made a sharp turn to the left." The student pilot thought that he still had some throttle in, and he applied right rudder. He "felt the airplane tip to the left" and was afraid that the airplane "might tip over," so he proceeded off the runway. After exiting the runway, the left main landing gear collided with an airport directional sign. The airplane then came to a stop. The pilot performed the proper shut-down procedures, contacted the tower to report the accident, and exited the airplane, uninjured. When asked how this accident could have been prevented, the pilot stated, "proper use of the rudder pedals to maintain center line." A review of pictures of the airplane was structural damage to the fuselage where the left main landing gear attached. The automated surface observation system at SWO was being serviced at the time of the accident, therefore, a local weather report could not be obtained. The student pilot and instructor reported that the wind at SWO was from approximately 160 degrees at 8-10 knots at the time of the accident. At 1853, the automated weather observing system at the Ponca City Regional Airport (PNC), near Ponca City, Oklahoma, located approximately 34 nautical miles north of SWO, reported wind from 120 degrees at 9 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, a clear sky, temperature 70 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 46 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure setting of 29.76 inches of Mercury.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:30 CDT
Nearest AirportStillwater Regional Airport (0nm)
Runway17
Runway Length7401 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN68472
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorOklahoma State University Flight Center
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 115
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 19 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind120° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 46
Altimeter29.76 inHg
Observation Time23:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data