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 31, 2013 · Cessna 172L · N9816G

Millinocket, ME

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 31, 2013
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Millinocket, ME
Aircraft
Cessna 172L
Tail Number
N9816G
Operator
Harry & Nancy Ricker
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA13CA266

According to the student pilot, he was on a solo cross country flight. While arriving at the destination airport he decided the wind was favoring runway 29. He positioned the airplane for landing. While on final approach, he experienced a left crosswind for only a short period of time and continued with the approach. On landing, the pilot flared “normally”, but encountered a wind gust from the left just before the landing gear touched down. The airplane began to weathervane to the left and the pilot applied power along with full right rudder and right aileron to counteract the turn; however, the right main landing gear touched down and the airplane traveled to the right side of the runway. The pilot “released the throttle” and, with the left wing and left main landing gear in the air, the airplane continued to the left side of the runway and subsequently the right main landing gear collapsed. The airplane eventually came to rest on the runway. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the right wing and firewall. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that could have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, the wind was reported as variable at 4 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C

Full Narrative

According to the student pilot, he was on a solo cross country flight. While arriving at the destination airport he decided the wind was favoring runway 29. He positioned the airplane for landing. While on final approach, he experienced a left crosswind for only a short period of time and continued with the approach. On landing, the pilot flared “normally”, but encountered a wind gust from the left just before the landing gear touched down. The airplane began to weathervane to the left and the pilot applied power along with full right rudder and right aileron to counteract the turn; however, the right main landing gear touched down and the airplane traveled to the right side of the runway. The pilot “released the throttle” and, with the left wing and left main landing gear in the air, the airplane continued to the left side of the runway and subsequently the right main landing gear collapsed. The airplane eventually came to rest on the runway. A postaccident examination of the airplane by the Federal Aviation Administration revealed substantial damage to the right wing and firewall. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that could have precluded normal operation. Winds, at the time of the accident, were reported as variable at 4 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 EDT
Nearest AirportMillinocket Municipal Airport (0nm)
Runway29
Runway Length4713 ft
Runway Width99 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172L
Tail NumberN9816G
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHarry & Nancy Ricker
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · 0-320 SERIES · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 52 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter29.95 inHg
Observation Time14:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data