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

April 14, 2015 · Cessna 172M · N12842

Hilo, HI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 14, 2015
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 serious injuries)
Location
Hilo, HI
Aircraft
Cessna 172M (1973)
Tail Number
N12842
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR15LA146

The flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction reported that, during the preflight inspection before the local instructional flight, they drained water from the fuel tanks. After departure, they flew for about 1 hour and then returned to the airport to practice touch-and-go landings. During the approach for landing, the pilot receiving instruction accomplished a no-flap "slip to landing." After touchdown, he applied power for the takeoff, and the airplane then reached between about 75 and 100 ft above ground level, at which point the engine began to run irregularly, and subsequently, it lost power. The flight instructor took control of the airplane and executed a left turn away from buildings located at the end of the runway. Subsequently, the airplane impacted a grassy area northeast of the departure end of the runway. During the postaccident examination of the airplane, water was found in the fuel sump strainer and the carburetor, which likely led to the loss of engine power. It is likely the flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction failed to ensure that all the water was drained from the tank during the preflight inspection.

NTSB Probable Cause

Water contamination in the fuel system due to the flight instructor’s and pilot receiving instruction’s failure to drain all the water from the system during the preflight inspection, which resulted in a loss of engine power.

Full Narrative

On April 14, 2015, about 1345 Hawaiian standard time, a Cessna 172M, N12842, experienced a loss of engine power during initial climb from Hilo International Airport (ITO), Hilo, Hawaii. The certified flight instructor, the student pilot undergoing instruction (PUI), and one passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged during the forced landing on the grassy area near the departure end of the runway. Hawaii Flight Academy was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The local instructional flight departed Hilo about 1245. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.The operator reported that the FI was instructing the student pilot in preparation for his private pilot practical examination. The passenger was another student pilot who was observing the training flight. The flight crew reported that they had drained water out of the fuel tanks prior to the flight. The flight departed and flew for about 1 hour before returning to ITO to practice touch-and-go landings. The flight instructor instructed the student to perform a no flap "slip to landing" and go-around. After the aggressive slip and landing, power was applied for the takeoff. The airplane became airborne and when about 75-100 feet above ground, the engine began to run irregular and subsequently lost power. The FI took control of the airplane and executed a left turn away from buildings, which were located at the end of the runway. The airplane impacted onto the grass area northeast of the departure end of runway 03. During an examination of the airplane, about 8 ounces of fluid was drained from the fuel sump strainer, and 5 ounces of the fluid appeared to be water. The carburetor was removed from the engine and an unmeasured amount of fluid was drained from the carburetor; about 90% of it appeared to be water. A water paste test was utilized, and the indication was positive for water. The operator commented that examination of the inside of the fuel tanks revealed that the sump drain valves protruded up about 1/2 inch above the bottom of the tanks. The operator suggested that pilots drain the engine sump completely, rock both wings vigorously during preflight, and drain fuel from the engine and wing sumps again.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:45 HST
Nearest AirportHILOINTL (0nm NW)
Runway03
Runway Length5600 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172M
Tail NumberN12842
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D2J · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (3 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious3
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 63 · Second Class · Serious
Crew 2Age 21 · First Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind340° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2600 ft
Temperature / Dew Point68 F
Altimeter30.07 inHg
Observation Time00:05
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data