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

May 1, 2013 · Cessna P210N · N731NR

Saint Louis, MO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 1, 2013
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Saint Louis, MO
Aircraft
Cessna P210N
Tail Number
N731NR
Operator
Crawford Edward J
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN13LA252

While on left base of the traffic pattern, an air traffic controller instructed the pilot to make a "short approach" to avoid traffic. The pilot reported that he lowered the landing gear handle but that he was unsure if the landing gear down indicator light had illuminated, and he did not remember visually verifying that the gear was down during the approach. The pilot stated that, during the approach, he was distracted by an odd smell in the cockpit, which he thought may have been the air conditioner malfunctioning. The airplane touched down on the runway surface with the landing gear retracted. Examination of the landing gear system revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Therefore, it is likely that the pilot was distracted by the odor in the cockpit and did not lower the landing gear or check that it was in the down position before landing.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear or check that it was in the down position before landing.

Full Narrative

On May 1, 2013, about 0745 central daylight, a Cessna P210N airplane, N731NR, was substantially damaged during a gear up landing at Spirit of St. Louis Airport (SUS), St. Louis, Missouri. The pilot did not report any injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The flight originated from St. Charles County Smartt Airport (SET), St. Charles, Missouri about 0700. While on left base of the traffic pattern at SUS, the pilot was instructed by air traffic control to make a short approach for traffic avoidance. The pilot stated that he lowered the landing gear handle, but was unsure if the landing gear down indicator light had illuminated. He normally checked the landing gear visually, but did not remember doing so on the approach of the accident. He did not observe an audible landing gear warning horn during the approach. The pilot stated that he was distracted with testing his air conditioner and thought he noticed an odd smell in the cockpit, which he thought may have been the air conditioner malfunctioning. The airplane touched down on the runway surface with the landing gear retracted, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage structure and engine. During examination by maintenance and Federal Aviation Administration personnel, the landing gear was sequenced several times using both normal and emergency modes, with no abnormalities noted. The red gear up warning light, green gear down light and audible warning horn all functioned properly. The pilot stated that during the airplane's last annual inspection the audible warning system was noted to be out of adjustment. This issue was not duplicated during the examination. Examination of the landing gear system revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:45 CDT
Nearest AirportSpirit Of St. Louis (0nm)
Runway08R
Runway Length7484 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna P210N
Tail NumberN731NR
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCrawford Edward J
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCont Motor · TSIO-520 SER · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 71 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 55
Altimeter30.04 inHg
Observation Time12:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data