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

May 30, 1990 · Rockwell 114 · N5803N

Anawalt, WV

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 30, 1990
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Location
Anawalt, WV
Aircraft
Rockwell 114
Tail Number
N5803N
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
BFO90FA050

DURING A VFR FLT FROM MYRTLE BEACH, SC, TO WELCH, WV, THE PLT LANDED AT BLUEFIELD, WV, WHERE HE REFUELED & OBTAINED A WX BRIEFING. AT 2241 EDT, THE HE TOOK OFF ON THE LAST LEG OF THE FLT. ABOUT 12 MI WNW OF BLUEFIELD, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH STEEP RISING TERRAIN ABOUT 100 FT BELOW THE TOP OF A MOUNTAIN. IMPACT OCCURRED AT AN ELEVATION OF ABOUT 2800 FT & APRX 4 MI LEFT OF A DIRECT LINE BETWEEN BLUEFIELD & WELCH. THE 2249 EDT WX AT BLUEFIELD WAS IN PART: LOW SCT CLOUDS, 1200 FT OVC, VIS 7 MI, WIND FROM 250 DEG AT 4 KTS. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT WAS FOUND.

NTSB Probable Cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE AND CLEARANCE ABOVE THE TERRAIN. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: DARKNESS, MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, AND LOW CEILING.

Full Narrative

DURING A VFR FLT FROM MYRTLE BEACH, SC, TO WELCH, WV, THE PLT LANDED AT BLUEFIELD, WV, WHERE HE REFUELED & OBTAINED A WX BRIEFING. AT 2241 EDT, THE HE TOOK OFF ON THE LAST LEG OF THE FLT. ABOUT 12 MI WNW OF BLUEFIELD, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH STEEP RISING TERRAIN ABOUT 100 FT BELOW THE TOP OF A MOUNTAIN. IMPACT OCCURRED AT AN ELEVATION OF ABOUT 2800 FT & APRX 4 MI LEFT OF A DIRECT LINE BETWEEN BLUEFIELD & WELCH. THE 2249 EDT WX AT BLUEFIELD WAS IN PART: LOW SCT CLOUDS, 1200 FT OVC, VIS 7 MI, WIND FROM 250 DEG AT 4 KTS. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT WAS FOUND.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time22:53 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRockwell 114
Tail NumberN5803N
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-T4B5D · Reciprocating · 260
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Fatal4
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 58 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind250° @ 4 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingOvercast 1200 ft
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 46
Altimeter29.89 inHg
Observation Time02:49
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data