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 28, 2021 · Cessna 172 G · N4118L

Miramar, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 28, 2021
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Miramar, FL
Aircraft
Cessna 172 G (1966)
Tail Number
N4118L
Operator
Jacobs Flight Services
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA21LA383

The airplane’s fuel tanks were filled to capacity and the airplane was flown 1.2 hours before the flight instructor and student pilot departed on the accident flight. The student and instructor flew to a nearby airport, where they performed 11 stop-and-go landings, then departed to return to the departure airport. About 3 miles from the airport, the engine lost total power. The instructor switched the fuel selector from BOTH to the LEFT, then RIGHT tank positions, but engine power was not restored. The airplane impacted trees and a stop sign during the forced landing, resulting in substantial damage. The flight instructor reported that she was not wearing a shoulder harness, which contributed to the extent of her injury. Based on the hour meter, the airplane was operated about 4.5 hours since the fuel tanks had been filled. Following the accident, about 2.5 gallons of fuel were drained from the left fuel tank, which was 1 gallon more than the unusable amount, and no fuel was noted in the right fuel tank. The fuel strainer and carburetor bowl were absent of fuel. Based on the available information, the loss of engine power was the result of fuel starvation. The instructor stated that she did not use the fuel dipstick to confirm fuel quantity before departing on the flight. Had she done so, it is likely that she would have noted the airplane’s fuel state and fueled the airplane before returning to the departure airport, thus preventing the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The flight instructor’s inadequate preflight and inflight fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the flight instructor’s injury was her failure to wear the shoulder harness.

Full Narrative

On September 27, 2021, about 2238 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172G, N4118L, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Miramar, Florida. The flight instructor and student pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The student pilot stated that, as part of the preflight inspection, she noted that the airplane had been operated for 1.2 hours since the fuel tanks were filled. She visually inspected both fuel tanks and could see fuel inside but did not have a fuel dipstick available. She informed the flight instructor that the fuel level was a “little less” than full. She further reported that the flight instructor also performed a preflight inspection of the airplane but did not check the fuel tanks. The flight instructor stated that she checked the right fuel tank, which she verified by feel as full, but she did not check the left fuel tank, nor did she use the fuel dipstick. She added that the student pilot checked the left fuel tank and informed her that it was full. After proceeding to a nearby airport with the mixture control full rich, the student pilot performed 11 stop-and-go landings, then proceeded to return to the departure airport with the mixture control full rich. She indicated that, had she known the left fuel tank was not full, she would have fueled before returning to the departure airport. About 3 miles from the airport, the engine lost total power. At that time, she noted that both fuel gauges were stuck between 1/2 and empty. She repositioned the fuel selector from the BOTH position, where it had remained since engine start, to the LEFT and then the RIGHT tank positions but that did not restore engine power. She informed her student of the impending forced landing to a street and after touchdown on the road, she turned to avoid traffic and impacted another tree. She was not wearing the shoulder harness, which she said contributed to her injury. The airplane came to rest upright with substantial damage to the fuselage and right horizontal stabilizer. Neither fuel tank was breached. The right fuel tank was empty, while about 2.5 gallons of fuel were drained from the left fuel tank. The fuel selector was found between the BOTH and RIGHT fuel tank positions. The airplane’s published total unusable fuel amount was 3.0 gallons; 1.5 gallons in each fuel tank. The engine was removed from the airframe for recovery and only “drops” of fuel were noted in the fuel line between the fuel strainer and carburetor. No fuel was noted in the airframe fuel strainer. Extensive impact damage precluded operational testing of the fuel quantity indicating system; the fuel transmitters were not tested. No fuel was noted in the carburetor bowl. Based on the hour meter, the airplane had been operated for about 4.5 hours since the fuel tanks had been filled.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time22:38 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172 G
Tail NumberN4118L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJacobs Flight Services
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300-D · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 23 · First Class · Serious
Crew 2Age 35 · First Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightNight
Wind20° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4300 ft
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter30.05 inHg
Observation Time22:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data