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

February 25, 2017 · Socata TB20 · N2519T

Melbourne, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 25, 2017
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Melbourne, FL
Aircraft
Socata TB20 (1989)
Tail Number
N2519T
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA17LA130

During a personal flight, the airplane's alternator warning light flashed and the battery began to discharge, so the pilot conducted a precautionary landing. The nose landing gear did not fully deploy, and the pilot performed a gear-up landing. Examination of the landing gear system revealed the nose landing gear was jammed within the wheel well because the nose strut had overextended. Further, the circlip that held the strut inside the gear assembly was dislodged from the groove. Paint was identified on the outer portion of the circlip. Review of the maintenance records revealed that the nose landing gear was disassembled and repaired more than 2 years and 75 flight hours before the accident flight. The airplane was fully painted after that maintenance. According to the airplane maintenance manual, the circlip should have been fully installed in the groove, and the landing gear should be rotated several times to confirm proper installation. If the circlip had been properly installed inside the nose strut housing groove at the time paint was applied, paint would not have been on the outer surface of the circlip. It is likely that the circlip was improperly installed when the nose landing gear was repaired; it eventually became dislodged sufficiently to cause the internal strut to overextend and the gear to become jammed within the wheel well.

NTSB Probable Cause

Improper installation of the circlip within the nose gear strut, which resulted in the strut overextending in the wheel well and preventing the nose landing gear from extending during landing.

Full Narrative

On February 25, 2017, about 1115 eastern standard time, a Socata TB20, N2519T, was substantially damaged during a gear up landing at Melbourne International Airport (MLB), Melbourne, Florida. The private pilot was not injured. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight, which departed Key West International Airport (EYW), Key West, Florida, about 1012.The pilot reported that during his cross-country flight he noticed the alternator warning light flash and the battery began to discharge. He contacted air traffic control, but did not declare an emergency, and began a slow descent while initiating the emergency gear extension. After multiple unsuccessful attempts the pilot performed a gear up landing. An examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector revealed that the main landed gear was extended but not fully locked. The nose landing gear did not extend and remained in the wheel well. Examination of the airframe revealed that the bottom forward bulkhead was damaged during landing sequence. An examination of the nose gear assembly revealed the circlip on the nose landing gear strut was dislodged from the nose landing gear leg assembly, which allowed the strut to extend further than usual. The circlip used to retain the nose gear strut inside the nose gear assembly had paint on the outer portion of the circlip, which should have been fully set inside the groove used to keep the circlip in place. An examination of the circlip groove revealed that it was in serviceable condition with no corrosion or other deformation within the groove. A review of the maintenance records showed that the nose strut was disassembled and repaired on July 15, 2015, and the airplane was completely repainted on April 5, 2016. Further review of the maintenance records revealed that since the disassembly of the nose gear, a total of 75 hours of flight time had accumulated since the maintenance. According to the airplane's maintenance manual the, nose landing gear strut retaining circlip should have been fully installed in the groove. After it is installed, the landing gear should be rotated several times to confirm proper installation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:15 EST
Nearest AirportMelbourne Intl (0nm NW)
Runway27R
Runway Length6000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSocata TB20
Tail NumberN2519T
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-C4050 · Reciprocating · 250
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 66 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F
Altimeter29.93 inHg
Observation Time14:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data