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

July 16, 2014 · Cessna 172N · N13SK

Rockville, IN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 16, 2014
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Rockville, IN
Aircraft
Cessna 172N (1979)
Tail Number
N13SK
Operator
Hopkins Jack E
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN14LA374

The pilot reported that the engine experienced a partial loss of power while the airplane was in cruise flight. After the pilot unsuccessfully attempted to restore engine power, he made a forced landing to a cornfield. Postaccident examination of the dual magneto system revealed that the four screws designed to hold the magneto points in their operational positions were loose, which caused both magneto points to remain in the closed position as the center cam was rotated and likely resulted in the partial loss of engine power. Airplane maintenance records indicated that the airplane had been flown 8 hours since its last annual inspection about 5 1/2 months before the accident. No further information about the maintenance was available.

NTSB Probable Cause

A partial loss of engine power due to a failure of the dual magneto system. Contributing to the accident was the improper maintenance of the duel magneto system.

Full Narrative

On July 16, 2014, about 1450 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172N airplane, N13SK, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Rockville, Indiana. The pilot and passenger were not injured. 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 local flight departed from a private airport near Rockville, Indiana about 1400. According to the pilot, the engine lost partial power while in cruise flight. The pilot attempted to restore engine power by applying carburetor heat and checking the mixture and fuel selector positions, but engine performance continued to worsen. The pilot performed a forced landing into a corn field, during which both wings were damaged. During examination of the engine, both points of the single drive/dual magneto system would not open; as the center cam was rotated to the 'points open' position, both points remained closed. Further examination revealed that four screws designed to hold the magneto points in their operational position had become loose. Two of the loose screws did not have any torque paint on them; torque paint for the other two loose screws was missing from the screw slot. Aircraft records indicted the airplane had flown eight hours since its last annual inspection on February 3, 2014. The investigation was not able to interview the mechanic who performed this annual inspection and recent maintenance on the airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:50 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172N
Tail NumberN13SK
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHopkins Jack E
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · 0-320 SERIES · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

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

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54
Altimeter30.03 inHg
Observation Time18:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data