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 27, 2006 · Cessna 172S · N159RA

Tulsa, OK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 27, 2006
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Tulsa, OK
Aircraft
Cessna 172S
Tail Number
N159RA
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DFW07LA056

A private pilot, who had been denied authorization by the operator to rent the airplane for a night flight, gained access to the ignition key for the single-engine airplane, and proceeded to attempt the unauthorized flight. The airplane collided with a hangar and a parked airplane while taxiing for departure. A post impact fire ensued. The pilot exited the airplane's side window unassisted and fled the accident site. Before the accident, the pilot had informed the flight school dispatcher that a flight instructor was en route to the airport to provide him with a biannual flight review. The pilot was authorized to perform a preflight inspection of the airplane while waiting for the instructor to arrive. The pilot mentioned that he wanted to start the airplane's engine to make sure it was operational. The dispatcher informed the pilot that he needed to wait until the flight instructor arrived. Unbeknown to the dispatcher, the pilot had taken the airplane's ignition key from the office. A short time later the dispatcher heard an airplane engine start followed by a "crash sound and then a loud boom or explosion." The flight instructor, with whom the pilot had reportedly talked to on the night of the accident, reported that he had not received any calls from the pilot on the evening of the accident. The day after the accident it was discovered that ignition switches in two rental airplanes parked near the accident airplane had been tampered with. The ignition switch had been pulled loose from one airplane and the other airplane's ignition switch had been removed. Reportedly the pilot committed suicide approximately two weeks later.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a hangar and parked airplane during the unauthorized use of an airplane.

Full Narrative

On December 26, 2006, about 2015 central standard time, a single-engine Cessna 172S airplane, N159RA, was destroyed when it collided with a hangar and a parked Beech V35 single-engine airplane, N236Q, while taxiing at the Richard Lloyd Jones Jr. Airport (RVS), near Tulsa, Oklahoma. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was registered to, and operated by Christiansen Aviation Incorporated of Wilmington, Delaware. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The attempted flight had not been authorized by the operator. According to the Christiansen Aviation dispatcher, the pilot called about 1830 on the evening of the mishap and informed her that he would be arriving at 1900 to rent an airplane to fly. The pilot arrived at the airport about 1930. The dispatcher attempted to dispatch the airplane to the pilot; however, the computer system revealed that the pilot's biannual flight review (BFR) had expired. The pilot was persistent that he wanted to fly that night and inquired as to what it would take to get a current BFR. The dispatcher gave him the phone number for a flight instructor who could help him meet the requirement for the BFR. The pilot then exited the airport office and returned later to inform the dispatcher that he had contacted the flight instructor and that he was en route to the airport to fly with him. The dispatcher then placed N159RA's rental bag on the office counter and suggested the pilot perform a preflight inspection while waiting for the flight instructor to arrive. The pilot mentioned that he wanted to start the airplane's engine before the flight instructor arrived to make sure it was operational. The dispatcher stated that the pilot needed to wait until the flight instructor arrived. The pilot again called the flight instructor, this time in front of the dispatcher, and urged him to hurry to the airport. The pilot left the rental bag on the counter and exited the office to preflight the airplane. Unbeknown to the dispatcher, the pilot had taken the airplane's ignition key. The dispatcher reported that a short time later she heard an airplane engine start followed by a "crash sound and then a loud boom or explosion." Once outside, the dispatcher observed the rental airplane engulfed in flames and the pilot running from the flight school towards his car. Another individual pulled behind the pilot's car, blocking his exit. The pilot was then observed to drive forward over a curb before he departed the airport. The pilot was interviewed on December 26, 2006, by a local law enforcement officer. The officer reported that the pilot admitted having an accident while in an airplane and described jumping from the airplane during the impact. The pilot further reported that he left the accident scene because he was "scared." On January 4, 2007, the pilot was again interviewed by law enforcement officers. The pilot reported to them that he had performed a preflight check before climbing into the airplane. Once inside the airplane the master switch and beacon were turned on, the pilot hollered "clear" and turned the ignition key. The pilot stated, "I flipped the key and it started right up." The pilot continued that before he could react, the airplane traveled across the ramp and impacted a hangar before erupting into flames. He then exited the pilot side window and fled the scene. The pilot further reported that he was taking Clonazepam daily for anxiety. The flight instructor, with whom the pilot had reportedly talked to on the night of the accident, reported that he had not received any calls from the pilot on the evening of December 26, 2006. Furthermore he had last given the pilot a biannual flight review on November 17, 2005. The day after the accident, it was discovered that ignition switches in two rental airplanes parked near the accident airplane, had been tampered with. The ignition switch had been pulled loose from one airplane and the other airplane's ignition switch had been removed. Reportedly, on January 8, 2007, the pilot committed suicide. Photos obtained by a NTSB representative revealed that both airplanes were destroyed by the post-crash fire.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:15 CST
Nearest AirportRichard Lloyd Jones Jr (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172S
Tail NumberN159RA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 30 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightNight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point32 C / 23 C
Altimeter30.13 inHg
Observation Time19:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data