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 20, 2007 · Cessna 152 · N49962

Fort Worth, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 20, 2007
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Fort Worth, TX
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N49962
Operator
Pro Aircraft Flight Training
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DFW08LA046

The student pilot reported that prior to departing his home airport on a cross-country flight, the airplane's fuel tanks were full. During the cross-country flight, the pilot thought the engine started to make a "weird sound", and he elected to land at a nearby airport, where he did an engine run-up and magneto check. No problems were observed, and he continued his flight. During the flight back to his home airport, the engine lost power, and the pilot made a forced landing in a vacant field. The airplane's fuel strainer was removed on site, and no fuel was found. The Hobbs meter recorded the flight's duration as 3.2 hours. During the airplane's recovery, no fuel was observed in the wing's fuel tanks. The engine was examined on January 16, 2008. The sparkplugs were in new condition, and had light gray deposits. The magnetos produced spark at each terminal, and were timed to the engine. A thumb compression test was performed, and continuity through the engine was confirmed. An external inspection of the engine also failed to find any mechanical problems.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power during cruise flight due to the pilot's failure to refuel the airplane prior to fuel exhaustion.

Full Narrative

On December 20, 2007, approximately 1420 central standard time, a single-engine Cessna 152 airplane, N49962, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a reported loss of engine power during cruise flight near Fort Worth, Texas. The student pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was registered to Magnum Assets, Inc., and operated by Pro Aircraft Flight Training, of Fort Worth, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The cross-country flight originated from the Hicks Airfield (T67), Fort Worth, Texas, about 1115. The student pilot reported via the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1) that prior to departing T67, the airplane's fuel tanks were full. The pilot also said that during the cross-country flight, he thought the engine started to make a "weird sound", so he elected to land at a nearby airport. He then preformed an engine run-up and magneto check. No problems were observed so the pilot elected to continue his flight. During the flight back to T67, the pilot reported that the engine just "stopped" and he elected to perform a forced landing in a vacant field. During the landing the airplane impacted an embankment and flipped over, coming to rest in the inverted position. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, the aircraft sustained structural damage during the forced landing. The inspector removed the airplane's fuel strainer, and no fuel was found. He also reported that the flight's duration was 3.2 hours, according to the airplane's Hobbs meter. The aircraft was recovered to a secure location for further examination. During the aircraft's recovery, the salvage team reported that there was no evidence of fuel in the wing's fuel tanks. The NTSB Investigator in Charge (IIC) examined the engine on January 16, 2008. The sparkplugs were in new condition and had light gray deposits. The magnetos produced "spark" at each terminal, and were timed to the engine. A thumb compression test was preformed, and continuity through the engine was confirmed. An external inspection of the engine also failed to find a reason for the loss of engine power. At 1453, the automated weather observing system at Alliance Airport, Fort Worth, Texas, reported wind from 330 degrees at 10 knots, 10 miles visibility, a clear sky, temperature 64-degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 31-degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 29.85 inches of Mercury.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:20 CST
Nearest AirportHicks Airfield (10nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN49962
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPro Aircraft Flight Training
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235 · Reciprocating
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 20 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 30 C
Altimeter29.85 inHg
Observation Time20:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data