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
May 19, 1990 · Douglas DC-3 · N1FN
Capon Bridge, WV
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 19, 1990
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Capon Bridge, WV
Aircraft
Douglas DC-3
Tail Number
N1FN
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
BFO90FA046
WHILE SPRAYING GYPSY MOTHES WITH DIMILIN OVER WOODED/HILLY TERRAIN, THE DC-3 COLLIDED WITH POWER LINES IN A VALLEY AREA. WITNESSES IN AN NEARBY OBSERVATION AIRCRAFT REPORTED THE DC-3 ENTERED A GRADUAL CLIMB, WHICH CONTINUED UNTIL THE DC-3 WAS IN A STEEP NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE. THE PILOT OF THE OBSERVATION AIRCRAFT TRIED TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE DC-3 PILOTS, BUT COULD NOT MAKE RADIO CONTACT. THE OBSERVATION PILOT REPORTED THE DC-3 ENTERED A STALL/SPIN AT ABOUT 1200 FT AGL, THEN CRASHED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT FAILURE. THE DC-3 WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A WIRE CUTTER KIT.
NTSB Probable Cause
INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE PILOTS OF THE DC-3, WHICH RESULTED IN THEIR FAILURE TO SEE-AND-AVOID THE POWERLINES. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE OBSTRUCTION (TRANSMISSION WIRES), AND THE LACK OF VISUAL CUES FOR THE PILOTS.
Full Narrative
WHILE SPRAYING GYPSY MOTHES WITH DIMILIN OVER WOODED/HILLY TERRAIN, THE DC-3 COLLIDED WITH POWER LINES IN A VALLEY AREA. WITNESSES IN AN NEARBY OBSERVATION AIRCRAFT REPORTED THE DC-3 ENTERED A GRADUAL CLIMB, WHICH CONTINUED UNTIL THE DC-3 WAS IN A STEEP NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE. THE PILOT OF THE OBSERVATION AIRCRAFT TRIED TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE DC-3 PILOTS, BUT COULD NOT MAKE RADIO CONTACT. THE OBSERVATION PILOT REPORTED THE DC-3 ENTERED A STALL/SPIN AT ABOUT 1200 FT AGL, THEN CRASHED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT FAILURE. THE DC-3 WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A WIRE CUTTER KIT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:30 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftDouglas DC-3
Tail NumberN1FN
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 137
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsWright · R-1820 · Reciprocating · 1200
Seats3
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 60 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 8 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 10000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 45 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:50
Weather SourceWFAC