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

February 8, 1992 · Piper PA-28-161 · N8346B

Fernandina Bch, FL

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 8, 1992
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Fernandina Bch, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-161
Tail Number
N8346B
Operator
Island Aviation Services
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA92LA079

THE STUDENT PLT DID NOT SET THE ALTIMETER TO THE FIELD ELEVATION BEFORE DEPARTURE. THE FLT DEPARTED, FLEW SOUTH ALONG THE COAST AT AN INDICATED ALTITUDE OF 500 FT, THEN TURNED LT TO RETURN, FLYING TOWARD THE ATLANTIC OCEAN. WHILE TURNING, THE AIRPLANE BEGAN DESCENDING WHICH THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT BY APPLYING POWER, BUT THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE WATER. THE PILOT FURTHER STATED THAT THE ALTIMETER INDICATED 400 FEET AT IMPACT. ACCORDING TO THE OWNER OF THE AIRPLANE, THE PILOT HAD NOT RECEIVED INSTRUCTION IN NIGHT FLYING, DID NOT HAVE PERMISSION TO FLY THE AIRPLANE, NOR HAD HE RECEIVED TRAINING IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL AIRPLANE. THE PILOT FURTHER STATED THAT HE HAD NOT FLOWN IN THE PREVIOUS 6 MONTHS.

NTSB Probable Cause

SPATIAL DISORIENTATION AND FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO SET THE ALTIMETER TO THE FIELD ELEVATION PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL AND RECENT EXPERIENCE.

Full Narrative

THE STUDENT PLT DID NOT SET THE ALTIMETER TO THE FIELD ELEVATION BEFORE DEPARTURE. THE FLT DEPARTED, FLEW SOUTH ALONG THE COAST AT AN INDICATED ALTITUDE OF 500 FT, THEN TURNED LT TO RETURN, FLYING TOWARD THE ATLANTIC OCEAN. WHILE TURNING, THE AIRPLANE BEGAN DESCENDING WHICH THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT BY APPLYING POWER, BUT THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE WATER. THE PILOT FURTHER STATED THAT THE ALTIMETER INDICATED 400 FEET AT IMPACT. ACCORDING TO THE OWNER OF THE AIRPLANE, THE PILOT HAD NOT RECEIVED INSTRUCTION IN NIGHT FLYING, DID NOT HAVE PERMISSION TO FLY THE AIRPLANE, NOR HAD HE RECEIVED TRAINING IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL AIRPLANE. THE PILOT FURTHER STATED THAT HE HAD NOT FLOWN IN THE PREVIOUS 6 MONTHS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time22:44 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-161
Tail NumberN8346B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorIsland Aviation Services
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D3G · Reciprocating · 161
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 20 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind260° @ 9 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point48 / 46
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time02:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data