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

May 21, 2005 · Cessna 172S · N860SA

Port Huron, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 21, 2005
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Port Huron, MI
Aircraft
Cessna 172S
Tail Number
N860SA
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI05CA124

The airplane piloted by a student pilot, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing on a runway 28. The pilot stated, "Upon turning base leg I determined that I was high and reduced power to idle. I maintained an airspeed of 65 [knots] and judged that I would touch down at the runway midpoint. At the midpoint I had not touched down and was still 30 to 50 [feet] above the runway. Instead of going around I attempted to land. In the process I rotated [too] soon and [too] much. This resulted in landing at a higher speed. I landed hard and bounced up. I maintained direction accurately and stopped the aircraft within the confines of the runway." Recorded wind at the airport was 310 degrees at 5 knots. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane in reference to the flight.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot not performing a go-around and misjudging the flare leading to a hard landing.

Full Narrative

On May 21, 2005, about 1035 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172S, N860SA, piloted by a student pilot, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing on runway 28 (4,001 feet by 75 feet) at the St Clair County International Airport (PHN), near Port Huron, Michigan. The solo instructional flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot was uninjured. The flight originated from the Huron County Memorial Airport, near Bad Axe, Michigan, about 0945. The pilot's accident report stated: Upon turning base leg I determined that I was high and reduced power to idle. I maintained an airspeed of 65 [knots] and judged that I would touch down at the runway midpoint. At the midpoint I had not touched down and was still 30 to 50 [feet] above the runway. Instead of going around I attempted to land. In the process I rotated [too] soon and [too] much. This resulted in landing at a higher speed. I landed hard and bounced up. I maintained direction accurately and stopped the aircraft within the confines of the runway. At 1035, the recorded weather at PHN was: Wind 310 degrees at 5 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition clear; temperature 21 degrees C; dew point 4 degrees C; altimeter 30.02 inches of mercury. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane in reference to the flight.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:35 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledUnknown
Flight Plan ActivatedUnknown
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172S
Tail NumberN860SA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-L2A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 57 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 39 C
Altimeter30.02 inHg
Observation Time15:35
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data