Rockwell 112 accident near Knoxville, Tennessee, February 15, 2020
On February 15, 2020 at about 7:38 pm local time, a 1977 Rockwell 112, registered N377SB, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Knoxville, Tennessee (Knoxville Downtown Island airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of directional control during landing following deflation of a flat-spotted tire for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 15, 2020 · about 7:38 pm local time
- Place
- Knoxville, Tennessee · Knoxville Downtown Island · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Rockwell 112 B, built 1977
- Registration
- N377SB · no longer on the register · serial 526
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot flew a normal approach, landed about 1/3 down the runway, and applied the brakes equally a few seconds after touchdown. About 1 or 2 seconds after the airplane began to slow, he felt, "a very aggressive turn to the left," which he described as if the airplane had suddenly encountered a 20+ knot crosswind. He applied right rudder input, but the airplane continued left, departed the runway onto grass, and impacted a ditch coming to rest with the nose landing gear collapsed. The left main landing gear tire was found deflated and flat spotted. Postaccident examination of the airplane's brake system revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. The reason for the flat-spotted tire could not be determined.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Miscellaneous/other during landing (landing roll)
- Loss of control on ground during landing (landing roll) defining event
- Runway excursion during landing (landing roll)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Tire casing › Capability exceeded
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 292 hours in all; 220 in this make and model; 11 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 259 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 15, 2019
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,996 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 19, 2019
- Maximum gross weight: 2,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-C1D6 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: LOU Louisville KY at 6:23 pm
- Destination: DKX Knoxville TN
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 08, 3,499 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 25,000 ft
- Temperature: 46°F (8°C), dew point 25°F (-4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.32 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 pm from TYS, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on March 16, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum for Record - Additional Flight Details | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | FAA Inspector Statement | PDF, 13 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.