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 29, 1992 · Piper PA-36-375 · N3986E
Deloit, IA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 29, 1992
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Deloit, IA
Aircraft
Piper PA-36-375
Tail Number
N3986E
Operator
Darrell Johnson
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI92DCD03
THE PILOT OF THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE TOP OF A POWER TRANSMISSION WIRE ARRAY WHILE PERFORMING AERIAL APPLICATION MANEUVERS. HE STATED HIS CONCENTRATION WAS ON MAINTAINING CLEARANCE FROM THREE LARGE DIAMETER WIRES COMPRISING THE LOWER PORTION OF THE ARRAY. HE FAILED TO SEE THE SMALLER WIRES OF THE UPPER PORTION UNTIL THE 'LAST SPLIT SECOND' BEFORE THE COLLISION. THE WIRES REMAINED INTACT AND THE AIRPLANE REBOUNDED 300 FEET INTO A SMALL POND WHERE IT LANDED UPRIGHT.
NTSB Probable Cause
INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND WHILE PERFORMING AERIAL APPLICATION MANEUVERS. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT IS THE PILOT'S DIVERTED ATTENTION.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT OF THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE TOP OF A POWER TRANSMISSION WIRE ARRAY WHILE PERFORMING AERIAL APPLICATION MANEUVERS. HE STATED HIS CONCENTRATION WAS ON MAINTAINING CLEARANCE FROM THREE LARGE DIAMETER WIRES COMPRISING THE LOWER PORTION OF THE ARRAY. HE FAILED TO SEE THE SMALLER WIRES OF THE UPPER PORTION UNTIL THE 'LAST SPLIT SECOND' BEFORE THE COLLISION. THE WIRES REMAINED INTACT AND THE AIRPLANE REBOUNDED 300 FEET INTO A SMALL POND WHERE IT LANDED UPRIGHT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-36-375
Tail NumberN3986E
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDarrell Johnson
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-720-D1CD · Reciprocating · 375
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 61 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 3 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO