Overall Trends
Total, fatal, and serious accidents in the selected range.
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
Search everything
Fast key and full-text search with live filters, watches, and precise metadata.
Use quotes for exact phrase matches (for example "fuel selector valve").
Featured 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…
High-signal investigations
Major cases, deep-report coverage, and investigation media across decades of NTSB history.
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 manufacturersAirports
More airportsOperators
More operatorsAbout
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
February 6, 1993 · Piper PA-28-235 · N8784W
Lafayette, IN
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 6, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Lafayette, IN
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-235
Tail Number
N8784W
Operator
Brown Carol
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI93LA088
THE INSTRUMENT FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR OBTAINED A PREFLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFING DURING WHICH HE WAS ADVISED THERE WERE REPORTS OF LIGHT RIME ICE. THE PILOTS TOOK OFF FOR A LOCAL FLIGHT TO PRACTICE APPROACHES. BOTH PILOTS REPORTED THEIR APPROACH BACK TO THE AIRPORT APPEARED NORMAL UNTIL THE STUDENT BEGAN TO FLARE. THE AIRPLANE '...JUST SEEMED TO QUIT FLYING AND SANK RAPIDLY TO THE RUNWAY.' THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR SEPARATED FROM THE AIRPLANE AT GROUND IMPACT. THE AIRPLANE SKIDDED TO A STOP ON THE RUNWAY. POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED ACCUMULATIONS OF ROUGH RIME ICE BETWEEN 1/2 AND ONE INCH THICK ON LEADING EDGES, ETC. THE INSTRUCTOR REPORTED HE NOTED ICE ACCUMULATING ON THE WINDSHIELD, BUT ADDED HE WAS NOT CONCERNED BECAUSE THE AIRPLANE 'COULD HANDLE LIGHT ICE VERY WELL.' THE INSTRUCTOR STATED THE AIRPLANE STALLED ABOUT 16 MPH FASTER THAN PUBLISHED STALL AIRSPEED.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S DECISION TO INITIATE FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ICING CONDITIONS WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCUMMULATION OF AIRFRAME ICE. THE ICING CONDITIONS AND THE PILOT'S DISREGARD OF THE WEATHER ADVISORY WERE FACTORS.
Full Narrative
THE INSTRUMENT FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR OBTAINED A PREFLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFING DURING WHICH HE WAS ADVISED THERE WERE REPORTS OF LIGHT RIME ICE. THE PILOTS TOOK OFF FOR A LOCAL FLIGHT TO PRACTICE APPROACHES. BOTH PILOTS REPORTED THEIR APPROACH BACK TO THE AIRPORT APPEARED NORMAL UNTIL THE STUDENT BEGAN TO FLARE. THE AIRPLANE '...JUST SEEMED TO QUIT FLYING AND SANK RAPIDLY TO THE RUNWAY.' THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR SEPARATED FROM THE AIRPLANE AT GROUND IMPACT. THE AIRPLANE SKIDDED TO A STOP ON THE RUNWAY. POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED ACCUMULATIONS OF ROUGH RIME ICE BETWEEN 1/2 AND ONE INCH THICK ON LEADING EDGES, ETC. THE INSTRUCTOR REPORTED HE NOTED ICE ACCUMULATING ON THE WINDSHIELD, BUT ADDED HE WAS NOT CONCERNED BECAUSE THE AIRPLANE 'COULD HANDLE LIGHT ICE VERY WELL.' THE INSTRUCTOR STATED THE AIRPLANE STALLED ABOUT 16 MPH FASTER THAN PUBLISHED STALL AIRSPEED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:04 EST
Nearest AirportPurdue University (0nm)
Runway1
Runway Length6500 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-235
Tail NumberN8784W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBrown Carol
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-B4B5 · Reciprocating · 235
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 50 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind70° @ 10 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingOvercast 800 ft
Temperature / Dew Point32 C / 28 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:45
Weather SourceWFAC