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
August 16, 1990 · Cessna 172M · N80981
Goleta, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 16, 1990
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 3 uninjured
Location
Goleta, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 172M
Tail Number
N80981
Operator
Aaa Flying Club
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX90LA289
THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS TO ALLOW THE PASSENGERS TO LOOK OVER SOME SAILING ROUTES AND ANCHORAGES AT THE SANTA CRUZ ISLAND. THE PILOT SAID THAT WHILE FLYING OVER THE ISLAND HE NOTED THE OIL PRESSURE WAS SLOWLY DECREASING AND HE DECIDED TO RETURN TO THE MAINLAND. THE OIL PRESSURE CONTINUED TO DECREASE AND FINALLY REACHED ZERO. THE PILOT SAID THE ENGINE SEIZED SHORTLY THEREAFTER AND HE DITCHED THE AIRCRAFT IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO AN OFF SHORE OIL DRILLING PLATFORM. A BOAT FROM THE PLATFORM RESCUED THE PILOT AND PASSENGERS.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE LOSS OF ENGINE OIL PRESSURE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.
Full Narrative
THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS TO ALLOW THE PASSENGERS TO LOOK OVER SOME SAILING ROUTES AND ANCHORAGES AT THE SANTA CRUZ ISLAND. THE PILOT SAID THAT WHILE FLYING OVER THE ISLAND HE NOTED THE OIL PRESSURE WAS SLOWLY DECREASING AND HE DECIDED TO RETURN TO THE MAINLAND. THE OIL PRESSURE CONTINUED TO DECREASE AND FINALLY REACHED ZERO. THE PILOT SAID THE ENGINE SEIZED SHORTLY THEREAFTER AND HE DITCHED THE AIRCRAFT IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO AN OFF SHORE OIL DRILLING PLATFORM. A BOAT FROM THE PLATFORM RESCUED THE PILOT AND PASSENGERS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:15 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172M
Tail NumberN80981
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorAaa Flying Club
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 3 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured3
Total4
Crew 1Age 45 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO