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 9, 2015 · Cessna 172 C · N8370X

Kissimmee, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 9, 2015
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Kissimmee, FL
Aircraft
Cessna 172 C (1961)
Tail Number
N8370X
Operator
Leon-Caballero Luis E
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA15LA301

The student pilot/owner stated that it had rained a lot the week before the accident but that he had sumped the airplane's fuel drains before the flight and found no water or debris. He subsequently began practicing touch-and-go landings. While the airplane was on an extended downwind, the engine stopped producing power. The pilot declared an emergency and attempted a forced landing to the runway. However, the airplane struck a tree and impacted terrain just short of the runway. During a postaccident examination of the engine, an excessive amount of water was found in both fuel tanks and the carburetor. A small amount of rust-colored debris was also noted in the water drained from the carburetor, and two 1/2-inch-thick pieces of rust buildup were noted along the wall of the carburetor bowl. Based on the amount of water found in the fuel system, it is likely that the engine had ingested water and that the student pilot's preflight inspection was inadequate because he failed to detect the water contamination, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the fuel system, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination.

Full Narrative

On August 9, 2015, at 1100 eastern daylight time, N8370X, a Cessna 172C airplane, was substantially damaged when it made a forced landing after a total loss of engine power while in the traffic pattern at the Kissimmee Gateway Airport (ISM), Kissimmee, Florida. The student pilot/registered owner sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot stated that he was practicing touch and go landings on runway 33. While in the traffic pattern, a controller asked him to extend the downwind and he complied. Shortly after, the engine stopped producing power. The pilot declared an emergency and attempted a forced landing to the runway. The airplane struck a palm tree located on a golf course that was adjacent to the airport and impacted terrain just short of the runway. A review of photographs taken after the accident revealed the airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and firewall. The propeller and nose gear were also damaged. A postaccident examination of the engine and airplane was conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). According to an FAA inspector, the engine was manually rotated and compression was produced to each cylinder and spark was produced to each ignition lead. The sparkplugs were in "clean condition" and exhibited a light gray or tan color. Internal inspection of the engine revealed the crankshaft, rods and camshaft were in "good condition." The carburetor was partially separated from the engine just below the throttle valve. The accelerator pump was actuated and about 1 oz of rust-colored water and fuel was removed and collected. The carburetor bowl was empty but there two, half-inch thick rust stains noted on each side of the drain plug. The carburetor inlet screen was absent of debris and the hose between the strainer and carburetor bowl was clear and absent of debris; however, a small quantity of water (about one-quarter ounce) was found in the hose. The glass gascolator exhibited condensation but was absent of any fuel or water. The tail of the airplane was held to the ground and about 4 oz of water was drained from the right wing fuel tank and about 5 oz of water was drained from the left wing fuel tank. The pilot said that it had rained a lot the week before the accident but he did not see any water when he sumped the fuel drains before the accident flight. The pilot held a student pilot certificate for airplane single-engine land and his last FAA third class medical was issued on August 20, 2013, without any restrictions. The pilot reported a total of 140 hours, of which, 125 hours were in a Cessna 172C airplane. Weather at the airport at the time of the accident was wind from 350 degrees at 5 knots, scattered clouds 2,400 feet and visibility 10 miles.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:00 EDT
Nearest AirportKissimmee Gateway (0nm)
Runway33
Runway Length6001 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172 C
Tail NumberN8370X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorLeon-Caballero Luis E
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCont Motor · O-300-D · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 44 · Third Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind350° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.98 inHg
Observation Time15:07
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data