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

September 12, 2018 · Cessna 172 S · N24ME

Roche Harbor, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 12, 2018
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Roche Harbor, WA
Aircraft
Cessna 172 S (2000)
Tail Number
N24ME
Operator
Island Air
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR18LA259

The pilot reported that he adjusted his seat and “wiggled it” prior to takeoff to ensure it was locked in place. However, during the takeoff roll, the seat moved all the way aft, and the pilot was not able to reach the throttle or the rudder pedals. The airplane veered to the left and lifted off the ground. Shortly after, the tail struck the ground, followed by the left wing, and the airplane came to rest on its nose. A postaccident examination of the seat rail and latching mechanism revealed no anomalies. There was proper hole engagement with the seat pin and holes in the seat rail; the seat did not move once the stop was engaged with the hole. Therefore, it is likely that although the pilot attempted to secure his seat before takeoff, the seat pin was likely not engaged in the corresponding hole in the seat rail, which resulted in its aft movement when the airplane gained speed during the takeoff roll.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s failure to secure his seat position prior to takeoff, which resulted in a loss of airplane control and subsequent hard landing.

Full Narrative

On September 12, 2018, at 0810 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172 airplane, N24ME, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Roche Harbor, Washington. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 positioning flight. According to the pilot, just prior to takeoff, he adjusted his seat and “wiggled it” to ensure it was locked. During the takeoff roll, the seat moved all the way aft, and the pilot was not able to reach the throttle or the rudder pedals. The airplane veered to the left and lifted off the ground. Shortly after, the tail struck the ground, followed by the left wing, and the airplane came to rest on its nose. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector responded to the accident site. The FAA inspector observed the pilot’s seat in the farthest aft position with the stops engaged in the aft holes. He further reported that the seat moved freely in both directions, to each stop, with no binding encountered. Additionally, there was proper hole engagement with the seat pin and holes in the seat rail; the seat did not move once the stop was engaged with the hole.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:10 PDT
Nearest AirportRoche Harbor (0nm N)
Runway25
Runway Length3593 ft
Runway Width30 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172 S
Tail NumberN24ME
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorIsland Air
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540 SER · Reciprocating · 300
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 48 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility0.5 sm
CeilingOvercast 400 ft
Temperature / Dew Point55 F / 54 F
Altimeter29.92 inHg
Observation Time14:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data