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

September 18, 2010 · Cessna 320 · N56VP

Denton, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 18, 2010
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Denton, TX
Aircraft
Cessna 320
Tail Number
N56VP
Operator
Association of Orthopedic Services Pa
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN10LA567

During an instructional flight the student pilot performed four uneventful touch-and-go practice takeoffs and landings at one airport and then proceeded to another airport to make a soft-field landing on the grass runway. When the landing gear was extended, the landing gear indicator light did not illuminate. The annunciator lights were checked (press-to-test) and operated normally. He confirmed that the nose landing gear was only partially extended by looking in the convex mirrors mounted in on the engine nacelles. After the pilots cycled the landing gear several times and attempted to perform a manual extension least three times, the certificated flight instructor landed the airplane and the nose gear folded. A postaccident inspection revealed that the push-pull rod that connects the gear transmission to the nose gear had separated, damaging the wing spar and several fuselage ribs.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Landing gear system-Gear extension and retract sys-Failure - C

Full Narrative

On September 18, 2010, approximately 1145 central daylight time, a Cessna 320, N56VP, registered to and operated by the Association of Orthopedic Services PA, Grand Prairie, Texas, was substantially damaged when the nose gear folded on landing at Denton Municipal Airport (DTO), Denton, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed at the time of the accident. The instructional flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 without a flight plan. The instructor and pilot on board the airplane were not injured. The local flight originated at Grand Prairie Municipal Airport (GPM) approximately 0930. According to the flight instructor's accident report, the purpose of the flight was to administer a flight review and insurance endorsement to the pilot. After making 4 touch-and-go landings at Decatur (LUD), Texas, Municipal Airport, the flight proceeded to Decatur's Bishop Field (76T) to make a soft field landing on the grass runway. When the landing gear was extended, the GEAR DOWN AND LOCKED light did not illuminate. The annunciator lights were checked (press-to-test) and operated normally. Checking the convex mirrors on the engine nacelles confirmed the nose gear was only partially extended. The landing gear was cycled several times and manually extended at least 3 times. "G snaps" were made but to no avail. The instructor landed the airplane on DTO's runway 17 and the nose gear folded. Post-accident inspection revealed the push-pull rod that goes through the main spar and connects the gear transmission to the nose gear had separated, damaging the spar and several fuselage ribs. The Cessna 320 Maintenance Manual requires that the main and nose gear drive tubes and idler mechanism, in addition to rigging and clearance, be checked every 100 hours or 12 months, whichever comes first.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:45 CDT
Nearest AirportDenton Municipal (0nm)
Runway17
Runway Length5999 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 320
Tail NumberN56VP
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAssociation of Orthopedic Services Pa
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-470-B · Reciprocating · 260
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 64 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 70 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind140° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter30.06 inHg
Observation Time17:28
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data