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

August 5, 2011 · Cessna 172K · N7214G

Sylacauga, AL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 5, 2011
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Sylacauga, AL
Aircraft
Cessna 172K
Tail Number
N7214G
Operator
Birmingham Flight Center
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA11CA441

The student demonstrated a touch-and-go landing and as the airplane climbed through approximately 150 feet above ground level, the engine lost power. The certified flight instructor (CFI) took control of the airplane and attempted to troubleshoot the loss of power while executing a turn to the right, as the forested area off the end of the runway precluded landing straight ahead. The airplane descended below the tops of the trees, and the CFI attempted to follow an S-turn in a road and land in an area free from obstructions. Midway through the turn, the airspeed began to degrade, and the airplane began to stall. The CFI reduced the angle of attack to keep from stalling and losing control and allowed the left wing to come in contact with a tree. The airplane yawed to the left, the right wing contacted trees, and the airplane impacted the ground. A postaccident examination revealed that the exhaust valve for the No.1 cylinder was stuck in the open position which was consistent with the engine's loss of power.

NTSB Probable Cause

A stuck exhaust-valve on the number one cylinder which resulted in a loss of engine power.

Full Narrative

The student pilot and his flight instructor took off from their home airport and proceeded to an outlying airport to practice landings and takeoffs. After the student demonstrated a touch and go landing, as the airplane climbed through approximately 150 feet above ground level the engine lost power. The flight instructor then took control of the airplane, and attempted to trouble shoot the loss of power while executing a turn to the right as the forested area off the end of the runway precluded landing straight ahead. The airplane then descended below the tops of the trees and the flight instructor attempted to follow an S-turn in a road and land in an area free from obstructions. Midway through the turn however, the airspeed began to degrade and the airplane began to stall. The flight instructor then reduced angle of attack to keep from stalling and losing control and allowed the left wing to come in contact with a tree. The airplane then yawed to the left, the right wing then contacted trees, and the airplane impacted the ground. Post accident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the exhaust valve for the No.1 cylinder was stuck in the open position which was consistent with the engine's loss of power.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:09 CDT
Nearest AirportSylacuaga Municipal Airport (0nm)
Runway27
Runway Length5390 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172K
Tail NumberN7214G
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBirmingham Flight Center
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 25 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 21 · None · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.02 inHg
Observation Time16:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data