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

November 20, 2018 · Cessna 172 M · N27LA

Colorado Springs, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 20, 2018
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Colorado Springs, CO
Aircraft
Cessna 172 M (1975)
Tail Number
N27LA
Operator
Kingdom Power and Glory
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR19TA034

The pilot reported that, during a touch-and-go landing, he applied full power to take off and, although the airplane departed the runway surface about 50 knots, it did not accelerate, and the airspeed decreased. The airplane began exhibiting characteristics consistent with a stall and he lowered the nose. The airplane then settled back onto the ground slightly off the left side of the runway surface and continued through a grassy field, a fence, and a ditch. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted, resulting in substantial damage. Witnesses reported observing the airplane in a nose-high attitude before it descended from view. The flaps were found extended to 40° at the accident site. The density altitude at the time of the accident was about 7,386 ft, and there was an approximate 4-knot tailwind for the landing runway, which had a 1.4% upslope. According to the Federal Aviation Administration Airport/Facility directory, the opposite runway was recommended for touch-and-go landings in tailwind conditions up to 5 knots. According to the manufacturer's takeoff performance chart, there was adequate runway available for takeoff; however, given the high-density altitude, the tailwind, and the runway upslope, the distance required to conduct a touch-and-go landing and takeoff distance were significantly increased, which resulted in the airplane’s inability to become airborne within the remaining runway.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's decision to perform a touch-and-go landing at a high-density altitude airport, with a tailwind, and on an upsloping runway, which resulted in decreased airplane performance and the airplane’s inability to become airborne within the available runway.

Full Narrative

On November 20, 2018, about 0930 mountain standard time, a Cessna 172 airplane, N27LA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Colorado Springs, Colorado. The commercial pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that, after departure, they flew to a different airport and conducted three uneventful touch-and-go landings. He then proceeded to the accident airport and performed a straight-in approach to runway 33. He approached the runway at a normal speed of 60 knots with the flaps fully down and the "mixture set appropriately for the 7,000-ft field elevation"; he did not apply carburetor heat. The airplane landed, and he added full power, raised the flaps, and raised the nose to take off. The airplane became airborne about 50 knots but did not accelerate; instead, the airspeed decreased to about 45 knots. The airplane began exhibiting characteristics consistent with a stall, and he lowered the nose. The airplane settled back onto the ground slightly off the left side of the runway surface and rolled through a grassy field, a fence, and impacted a ditch. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. Witnesses reported observing the airplane in a nose-high attitude before it descended from view. Shortly thereafter, they observed people running toward the airplane. Examination conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the flaps were fully extended. The flap indicator in the cockpit displayed 40°. Weather about the time of the accident was reported as wind from 130° at 4 knots, temperature 9°C, dewpoint -11°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.26 inches of mercury, which corresponded to a density altitude of about 7,386 ft. According to the FAA Airport/Facility Directory, "runway 15 is recommended for takeoff, touch and go landings when effective tailwind is less than 5 knots". The directory stated that runway 33 had an upslope of 1.4%. Runway 15/33 was 60 ft wide and about 6,000 ft long. The takeoff performance chart in the 172M Pilot Operating Handbook indicates the following airplane configuration and environmental conditions during takeoff: Flaps up; full throttle prior to brake release; zero wind; and a paved, level, dry runway. The notes section stated, "for operation with tailwinds up to 10 knots, increase distances by 10% for each 2 knots." It further stated, "prior to takeoff from fields above 3,000 feet elevation, the mixture should be leaned to give maximum RPM in a full throttle, static runup."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:30 MST
Nearest AirportMeadow Lake Airport (0nm)
Runway33
Runway Length6000 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172 M
Tail NumberN27LA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorKingdom Power and Glory
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 SERIES · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 76 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind130° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point48 / 12 C
Altimeter30.26 inHg
Observation Time16:35
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data