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
September 22, 1990 · Piper PA-18 · N5429H
Midfield, AL
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 22, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Midfield, AL
Aircraft
Piper PA-18
Tail Number
N5429H
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL90LA175
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE ENCOUNTERED DETERIORATING WEATHER CONDITIONS DURING THE FLIGHT. UNABLE TO MAINTAIN VFR CONDITIONS, HE ELECTED TO PERFORM A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING IN A GRASSY FIELD. DURING THE LANDING, THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER IN TALL GRASS. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE CHECKED THE WEATHER WITH A FSS PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT, WITH VFR CONDITIONS FORECAST. SCHEUDLED OBSERVATIONS REPORTED VFR CONDITIONS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, HOWEVER THE TERRAIN WHERE THE ACCIDENT TOOK PLACE WAS HILLY AND SLIGHTLY HIGHER IN ELEVATION THAN AT THE WEATHER OBSERVATION FACILITY. THE PILOT RECEIVED HIS PRIVATE PILOT CERTIFICATE SEVEN DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE ASSESSMENT OF DETERIORATING WEATHER CONDITIONS AND HIS RESULTANT FLIGHT INTO AREAS OF LOW CLOUDS. THE SAFETY BOARD BELIEVES THAT THE PILOT'S OVERALL LACK OF EXPERIENCE WAS A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE ENCOUNTERED DETERIORATING WEATHER CONDITIONS DURING THE FLIGHT. UNABLE TO MAINTAIN VFR CONDITIONS, HE ELECTED TO PERFORM A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING IN A GRASSY FIELD. DURING THE LANDING, THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER IN TALL GRASS. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE CHECKED THE WEATHER WITH A FSS PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT, WITH VFR CONDITIONS FORECAST. SCHEUDLED OBSERVATIONS REPORTED VFR CONDITIONS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, HOWEVER THE TERRAIN WHERE THE ACCIDENT TOOK PLACE WAS HILLY AND SLIGHTLY HIGHER IN ELEVATION THAN AT THE WEATHER OBSERVATION FACILITY. THE PILOT RECEIVED HIS PRIVATE PILOT CERTIFICATE SEVEN DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:20 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-18
Tail NumberN5429H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-90-8F · Reciprocating · 90
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 23 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 10 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 1400 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:00
Weather SourceWFAC