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
April 25, 1992 · Beech 23A-19 · N7973L
Orangeburg, SC
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 25, 1992
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Orangeburg, SC
Aircraft
Beech 23A-19
Tail Number
N7973L
Operator
Walker and Associates
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL92LA089
SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE PILOT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. HE ELECTED TO RETURN TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT WHERE HE MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING. THE PILOT TAXIED THE AIRPLANE INTO A GRASSY AREA WHERE IT BURNED. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THAT THE EXHAUST MUFFLER HAD DETERIORATED AND THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE MUFFLER ASSEMBLY. THE FIRE DESTROYED THE AIRFRAME TACHOMETER, THEREFORE THE AIRFRAME TOTAL TIME AND TIME SINCE THE LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION WERE NOT DETERMINED.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE DETERIORATION OF THE EXHAUST MUFFLER WHICH RESULTED IN AN INFLIGHT FIRE.
Full Narrative
SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE PILOT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. HE ELECTED TO RETURN TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT WHERE HE MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING. THE PILOT TAXIED THE AIRPLANE INTO A GRASSY AREA WHERE IT BURNED. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THAT THE EXHAUST MUFFLER HAD DETERIORATED AND THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE MUFFLER ASSEMBLY. THE FIRE DESTROYED THE AIRFRAME TACHOMETER, THEREFORE THE AIRFRAME TOTAL TIME AND TIME SINCE THE LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION WERE NOT DETERMINED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:45 EDT
Nearest AirportOrangeburg Municipal Airp (0nm N)
Runway22
Runway Length4500 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireIflt
Aircraft ExplosionIflt
Aircraft
AircraftBeech 23A-19
Tail NumberN7973L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorWalker and Associates
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2C · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 25 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 13 kt, gusting 20 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 45000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point52
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time18:31
Weather SourceWFAC