Overall Trends
Total, fatal, and serious accidents in the selected range.
Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.
Fast key and full-text search with live filters, watches, and precise metadata.
Use quotes for exact phrase matches (for example "fuel selector valve").
Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.
Major cases, deep-report coverage, and investigation media across decades of NTSB history.
Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.
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.
Belen, NM
The pilot told FAA inspectors that he detected water in the fuel during his preflight, and thought he had drained all the water from the tanks. In his accident report, however, he made no reference to his preflight. Shortly after departing runway 21, the engine lost power but was 'surging'. The pilot tried to land on a road but was unable. The pilot stated the 'aircraft [was] in ground effect with [the] stall warning horn in operation.' He 'flew within 30 yards of road when [he] could no longer keep in ground effect with power that the engine was producing.' The pilot made a forced landing on soft sandy soil south of the airport. The aircraft rolled approximately 20 feet and nosed over. FAA inspectors reported draining a considerable quantity of 'rust red' water from both fuel tanks and debris from the gascolator, and the aircraft did not have a valid certificate of airworthiness or registration.
The pilot's improper preflight in that he failed to drain the water from the fuel sumps. Factors were water contamination in the fuel tank and a sand bar.
On August 7, 1998, approximately 1120 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 150J, N60564, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during a forced landing 1 mile south of Alexander Municipal Airport, Belen, New Mexico. The private pilot, the sole occupant aboard, sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the test flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at Belen approximately 5 minutes before the accident. The pilot told FAA inspectors that he detected water in the fuel during his preflight, and thought he had drained all the water from the tanks. In his accident report, however, he made no reference to his preflight. Shortly after departing runway 21, the engine lost power but was "surging". The pilot tried to land on a road but was unable. The pilot stated the "aircraft [was] in ground effect with [the] stall warning horn in operation." He "flew within 30 yards of [a] road when [he] could no longer keep in ground effect with power that the engine was producing." The pilot made a forced landing on soft sandy soil south of the airport. The aircraft rolled approximately 20 feet and nosed over. FAA inspectors reported draining a considerable quantity of "rust red" water from both fuel tanks and debris from the gascolator. The Federal Aviation Administration has confirmed that the pilot's airmen certificate was suspended in 1989 for 60 days and then was reinstated. In December 1997, his mechanic's license was "amended" but is now suspended. An FAA representative also reported that although the airplane serial number matched the registration number, the latter had been removed from FAA's central registry. The airplane was listed as sold on December 24, 1991, but no new owner's name was listed. The previous owner was contacted and he stated that the airplane had been destroyed. Inspectors said there was no valid Certificate of Airworthiness or Registration Certificate in the airplane.