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 9, 1990 · Piper PA-28-180 · N40793

Norton, VA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 9, 1990
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Norton, VA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-180
Tail Number
N40793
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
BFO90FA024

THE VFR PILOT DEPARTED BOONE, NC, AND CONTACTED TRI APCH STATING THEY WERE 2 DME FROM THE HOLSTON VOR, LEVEL AT 6,500 FT EN ROUTE TO THE HAZARD VOR. THE PLT LATER REQUESTED A DESCENT DOWN TO 5,500 FT. THE PLT REQUESTED A FREQ CHANGE AND NO FURTHER COMMUNICATIONS WERE MADE. THE ACFT CONTACTED A 4,400 FT MOUNTAIN AT AN ELEVATION OF 4,162 FT. THE ACFT TRAVELED THROUGH TREES PRIOR TO COMING TO REST IN A 45 DEG NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE WX DATA LISTED IN THIS REPORT WAS RECORDED AT A REPORTING FACILITY 28 NM FROM THE ACCIDENT SITE. A POLICE OFFICER AND A FOREST SERVICE RANGER STATED THE LOCAL WX CONDITIONS WERE LOW CEILINGS, FOG AND DRIZZLE DURING THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT. CAP LOCATED THE WRECKAGE 2 DAYS AFTER THE ACCIDENT. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION FAILED TO REVEAL ANY MECHANICAL FAILURE/MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRFRAM, FLT CONTROLS, OR ENGINE.

NTSB Probable Cause

PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN WHEN CONTINUING TO FLY INTO DETERIORATING WEATHER CONDITIONS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF INSTRUMENT EXPERIENCE, LOW CEILINGS, FOG, AND MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

Full Narrative

THE VFR PILOT DEPARTED BOONE, NC, AND CONTACTED TRI APCH STATING THEY WERE 2 DME FROM THE HOLSTON VOR, LEVEL AT 6,500 FT EN ROUTE TO THE HAZARD VOR. THE PLT LATER REQUESTED A DESCENT DOWN TO 5,500 FT. THE PLT REQUESTED A FREQ CHANGE AND NO FURTHER COMMUNICATIONS WERE MADE. THE ACFT CONTACTED A 4,400 FT MOUNTAIN AT AN ELEVATION OF 4,162 FT. THE ACFT TRAVELED THROUGH TREES PRIOR TO COMING TO REST IN A 45 DEG NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE WX DATA LISTED IN THIS REPORT WAS RECORDED AT A REPORTING FACILITY 28 NM FROM THE ACCIDENT SITE. A POLICE OFFICER AND A FOREST SERVICE RANGER STATED THE LOCAL WX CONDITIONS WERE LOW CEILINGS, FOG AND DRIZZLE DURING THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT. CAP LOCATED THE WRECKAGE 2 DAYS AFTER THE ACCIDENT. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION FAILED TO REVEAL ANY MECHANICAL FAILURE/MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRFRAM, FLT CONTROLS, OR ENGINE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:30 EST
Nearest Airport6nm SW
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-180
Tail NumberN40793
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 52 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind280° @ 5 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingOvercast 3800 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 46
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time17:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data