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 14, 1994 · Cessna 152 · N89897

Decatur, IN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 14, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Decatur, IN
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N89897
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI94LA321

THE FLIGHT WAS FOR THE PURPOSE OF PHOTOGRAPHING REAL ESTATE. THE PILOT STATED THAT FROM CHARTS HE WAS AWARE THAT THERE WAS A TOWER IN THE VICINITY; HOWEVER, HE DID NOT HAVE VISUAL CONTACT WITH IT. HE SAID THAT WHILE HEADING SOUTHBOUND THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE TOWER. THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO FLY TO AN UNEVENTFUL LANDING AT INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot-in-command's failure to maintain a proper altitude and his inadequate visual outlook. A factor was the tower.

Full Narrative

On September 14, 1994, at 1625 eastern standard time, a Cessna 152, N89897, registered to Hoosier Air Photos, Inc., of Indianapolis, and operated by a commercial pilot, collided with a stationary tower near Decatur, Indiana. The airplane landed at Indianapolis, Indiana, with substantial damage. The pilot reported no injuries. The business 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight departed Portland, Indiana, at 1450 with the intended destination of Greenwood, Indiana. The flight was for the purpose of photographing real estate. The pilot stated that he was aware of the tower from charts, but never actually saw it. While flying southbound the airplane impacted the tower. The pilot indicated that the airplane performance was not adversely affected by the impact and he elected to return to the Indianapolis area where he landed without further incident at 1805.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:25 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN89897
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 110
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 24 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time23:05
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data