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
January 6, 1990 · Cessna 185 · N9816X
Agua Dulce, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 6, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Agua Dulce, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 185
Tail Number
N9816X
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX90LA064
THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF IN A TAILWIND CONDITION. THE PILOT DID NOT OBTAIN A WEATHER BRIEFING FOR THE LOCAL FLT. THE PILOT TOOK OFF DOWNWIND, ABORTED THE TAKEOFF, LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND IT FLIPPED OVER. THE AIRCRAFT CAUGHT FIRE AND WAS DESTROYED. IT WAS NOT DETERMINED IF THE PILOT SECURED THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE PRIOR TO HIS DEPARTURE FROM THE AIRCRAFT.
NTSB Probable Cause
PILOT'S IMPROPER WEATHER EVALUATION WHICH DIRECTLY LED TO HIS ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF IN AN EXCESSIVE TAILWIND AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL DURING THE UNSUCCESSFUL ABORT.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF IN A TAILWIND CONDITION. THE PILOT DID NOT OBTAIN A WEATHER BRIEFING FOR THE LOCAL FLT. THE PILOT TOOK OFF DOWNWIND, ABORTED THE TAKEOFF, LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND IT FLIPPED OVER. THE AIRCRAFT CAUGHT FIRE AND WAS DESTROYED. IT WAS NOT DETERMINED IF THE PILOT SECURED THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE PRIOR TO HIS DEPARTURE FROM THE AIRCRAFT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:25 PST
Nearest AirportAGUADUCE (0nm N)
Runway4
Runway Length4525 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 185
Tail NumberN9816X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-D · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 49 · Unknown
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 40 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT