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 20, 1990 · Piper PA-18A · N9071D
Creve Coeur, MO
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 20, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Creve Coeur, MO
Aircraft
Piper PA-18A
Tail Number
N9071D
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MKC90LA113
THE COMMERCIAL PLT SAID THAT HE HAD JUST COMPLETED A BANNER DROP, THEN RE-ENTERED DOWNWIND LEG, AT ABOUT 40 FEET AGL. DURING THE TURN FROM DOWNWIND TO BASE, HE SWITCHED FUEL TANKS WHICH, SHORTLY AFTER, RESULTED IN A LOSS OF POWER. AN EMERGENCY LDG WAS ATTEMPTED IN A TALL WHEAT FIELD, WHERE THE ACFT NOSED OVER, SUSTAINING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE FUEL SYSTEM TO BE CONTAMINATED WITH WATER. THE PLT SAID THAT HE DID NOT DRAIN THE FUEL SUMPS PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT.
NTSB Probable Cause
FUEL CONTAMINATION AND INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT.
Full Narrative
THE COMMERCIAL PLT SAID THAT HE HAD JUST COMPLETED A BANNER DROP, THEN RE-ENTERED DOWNWIND LEG, AT ABOUT 40 FEET AGL. DURING THE TURN FROM DOWNWIND TO BASE, HE SWITCHED FUEL TANKS WHICH, SHORTLY AFTER, RESULTED IN A LOSS OF POWER. AN EMERGENCY LDG WAS ATTEMPTED IN A TALL WHEAT FIELD, WHERE THE ACFT NOSED OVER, SUSTAINING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE FUEL SYSTEM TO BE CONTAMINATED WITH WATER. THE PLT SAID THAT HE DID NOT DRAIN THE FUEL SUMPS PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:00 CDT
Nearest AirportCreve Coeur (1nm N)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-18A
Tail NumberN9071D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 37 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind180° @ 8 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 20000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time00:50
Weather SourceWFAC