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

February 1, 2009 · Cessna 172 S · N53576

Union Mills, IN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 1, 2009
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Union Mills, IN
Aircraft
Cessna 172 S
Tail Number
N53576
Operator
J S Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN09CA148

The certificated flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot departed on an introductory instructional flight towards a training area where they performed basic flight maneuvers. They then flew to an airport where the CFI demonstrated a simulated forced landing which was to be followed by a go-around to a runway that was reportedly covered with about 12-14 inches of snow. During the demonstration, the CFI reduced engine power to idle from an altitude of 2,000 feet mean sea level and executed a descent to an altitude of about 5 - 6 feet above ground level at 60 knots indicated airspeed. The CFI did not increase engine throttle during this descent to clear the engine. The CFI applied full throttle during the go-around, but the engine hesitated and the airplane continued to descend. The main landing gear wheels followed by the airplane's nose contacted the snow. The left wing contacted the ground followed by the right wing. Both wings buckled, resulting in substantial damage to the airplane. The Federal Aviation Administration Flight Training Handbook states in the section under 'Descents (Maximum Distance Glides)' that during power-off descents, the engine should be cleared periodically to prevent excessive cooling and fouling.

NTSB Probable Cause

The certificated flight instructor's failure to follow correct engine clearing procedures. A factor was the unsuitable landing area.

Full Narrative

A flight instructor and student pilot departed on an introductory instructional flight towards a training area where they performed basic flight maneuvers. They then flew to Flying U Ranch Airport, Union Mills, Indiana, where the flight instructor demonstrated a simulated forced landing which was to be followed by a go-around to runway 18 (2,745 feet by 100 feet, grass). The runway was reportedly covered with about 12-14 inches of snow. During the demonstration, the flight instructor reduced engine power to idle from an altitude of 2,000 feet mean sea level and executed a descent to an altitude of about 5 - 6 feet above ground level at 60 knots indicated airspeed. The flight instructor did not increase engine throttle during this descent to "clear the engine." The flight instructor applied full throttle during the go-around, but the engine hesitated and the airplane continued to descend. The main landing gear wheels followed by the airplane nose contacted the snow. The left wing followed by the right wing then contacted the ground. Both wings buckled from the ground contact resulting in substantial damage to the airplane. The flight instructor accumulated a total flight time of 2,163 hours as an instructor.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:30 EST
Nearest AirportFlying U Ranch (0nm)
Runway18
Runway Length2745 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledUnknown
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172 S
Tail NumberN53576
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJ S Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO360 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 67 · Third Class · None
Crew 2Age 52 · Unknown · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 10000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point36 C / 25 C
Altimeter29.92 inHg
Observation Time17:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data