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
July 18, 1991 · Jurca MJ5 Sirocco MJ5 Sirocc · N239GA
Lake Mathews, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 18, 1991
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Lake Mathews, CA
Aircraft
Jurca MJ5 Sirocco MJ5 Sirocc
Tail Number
N239GA
Operator
Simon E Richards
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX91LA316
THE CERTIFICATED STUDENT PILOT, AFTER FUELING HIS AIRCRAFT, INVITED THE NON-CERTIFICATED FUELER TO GO FOR A SHORT FLIGHT TO THE PRACTICE AREA AND BACK. THE FUELER LEFT THE PUMPS UNATTENDED AND UNLOCKED. THEY DEPARTED FOUR MINUTES BEFORE OFFICIAL SUNSET. WITNESS SAW THE AIRCRAFT PERFORMING WHAT APPEARED TO BE AEROBATICS THEN LOST SIGHT OF THEM BEHIND A HILL. AFTER A TURN IN THE HIGHWAY THEY AGAIN SAW THE AIRCRAFT , BUT IN A NOSEDOWN FAST SPIN IN A NEAR VERTICAL ATTITUDE. FAA INSPECTORS STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A POWER LINE STATIC CABLE WHICH SEVERED THE ENTIRE EMPENNAGE. FRIENDS OF THE PILOT STATED THAT HE ENJOYED LOW ALTITUDE CONTOUR FLYING AND THAT THEY HAD WARNED HIM OF THE POWER LINE DANGER.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S INTENTIONAL LOW ALTITUDE FLIGHT WHICH RESULTED IN A COLLISION WITH A POWER LINE STATIC CABLE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS INADEQUATE LIGHT CONDITIONS WHICH REDUCED THE PILOT'S ABILITY TO DETECT THE POWER LINE.
Full Narrative
THE CERTIFICATED STUDENT PILOT, AFTER FUELING HIS AIRCRAFT, INVITED THE NON-CERTIFICATED FUELER TO GO FOR A SHORT FLIGHT TO THE PRACTICE AREA AND BACK. THE FUELER LEFT THE PUMPS UNATTENDED AND UNLOCKED. THEY DEPARTED FOUR MINUTES BEFORE OFFICIAL SUNSET. WITNESS SAW THE AIRCRAFT PERFORMING WHAT APPEARED TO BE AEROBATICS THEN LOST SIGHT OF THEM BEHIND A HILL. AFTER A TURN IN THE HIGHWAY THEY AGAIN SAW THE AIRCRAFT , BUT IN A NOSEDOWN FAST SPIN IN A NEAR VERTICAL ATTITUDE. FAA INSPECTORS STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A POWER LINE STATIC CABLE WHICH SEVERED THE ENTIRE EMPENNAGE. FRIENDS OF THE PILOT STATED THAT HE ENJOYED LOW ALTITUDE CONTOUR FLYING AND THAT THEY HAD WARNED HIM OF THE POWER LINE DANGER.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:05 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftJurca MJ5 Sirocco MJ5 Sirocc
Tail NumberN239GA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorSimon E Richards
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360 · Reciprocating · 200
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 31 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind290° @ 13 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0