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

May 6, 2019 · Cessna 172 F · N8887U

Red Rock, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 6, 2019
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Red Rock, AZ
Aircraft
Cessna 172 F (1965)
Tail Number
N8887U
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR19LA140

The pilot reported that, while descending in the single-engine airplane toward the destination airport, the engine lost partial power. He performed a forced landing to a dirt road, during which the airplane contacted a bush, resulting in substantial damage. Postaccident examination of the engine and an engine test run revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident were not conducive to the development of carburetor icing. The reason for the partial loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available information.

NTSB Probable Cause

A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.

Full Narrative

On May 5, 2019, about 1756 mountain standard time, a Cessna 172F airplane, N8887U, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Red Rock, Arizona. The commercial pilot and three passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he canceled flight-following about 15 miles west of his destination. During the descent, the engine rpm dropped from 2,600 rpm to 1,300 rpm once or twice, then dropped to 1,000 rpm and remained there. The pilot reported that he checked the magnetos, verified that the fuel selector was on BOTH, and set the fuel mixture to full rich. The pilot performed a forced landing to a dirt road, during which the left wing clipped a bush, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot mentioned that he did not use carburetor heat, as the humidity was very low; calculated relative humidity for the area of the accident site was 27%. Additionally, the pilot reported no additional anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Review of the Carburetor Icing Probability Chart indicated that conditions were not conducive to carburetor icing. The airplane was equipped with a Continental Motors O-300-D engine, serial number 29754-D-5-0. Maintenance records revealed that about 6 days before the accident, the Nos. 2- and 3-cylinder assemblies were replaced, and the lower forward crankcase through bolt and hardware were replaced. Examination of the engine revealed no anomalies, and the engine operated normally during a subsequent test run to about 2,280 rpm.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:56 MST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172 F
Tail NumberN8887U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300 SER · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 34 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point16 C
Altimeter29.70 inHg
Observation Time17:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data