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

March 31, 2019 · Cessna 172 L · N902RA

Stephenville, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 31, 2019
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Stephenville, TX
Aircraft
Cessna 172 L (1971)
Tail Number
N902RA
Operator
Rich Aviation Services
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
GAA19CA192

The solo student pilot reported that, during landing, the airplane was configured with flaps 30° and that the airspeed was 70 knots. When the airplane was over the runway, he reduced the throttle to idle and initiated the landing flare. The airplane descended rapidly, landed hard, and bounced. He aborted the landing, "but the wind caught me and the next thing I knew, I was facing the taxiway." The airplane exited the left side of the runway into grass and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing lift strut. The student reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The METAR at the airport reported that, at the time of the accident, the wind was from 050° at 12 knots, gusting to 20 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 32. According to the manufacturer's Pilot's Operating Handbook, the maximum demonstrated crosswind is 15 knots. The crosswind component for the accident flight was 16 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing, and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control in gusting crosswind conditions that exceeded the airplane’s demonstrated crosswind for landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and nose-over.

Full Narrative

The student pilot reported that during landing, the airplane was configured with flaps 30°, and the airspeed was 70 knots. When the airplane was over the runway, he reduced the throttle to idle and initiated the landing flare. The airplane descended rapidly, landed hard and bounced. He aborted the landing, "but the wind caught me and the next thing I knew, I was facing the taxiway." The airplane exited the left side of the runway and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing lift strut. The METAR for the accident airport, reported that at the time of the accident, the wind was from 050° at 12 knots, and gusting to 20 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 32. According to the manufacturer's Pilot Operating Handbook, the maximum demonstrated crosswind is 15 knots. The crosswind component for the accident flight was 16 knots. The student pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:15 CDT
Nearest AirportStephenville Clark Rgnl (0nm WSW)
Runway32
Runway Length4209 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172 L
Tail NumberN902RA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRich Aviation Services
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 41 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind50° @ 12 kt, gusting 20 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point48 / 23 C
Altimeter30.42 inHg
Observation Time17:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data