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 15, 1990 · Cessna 172M · N73059
Aberdeen, SD
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 15, 1990
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Aberdeen, SD
Aircraft
Cessna 172M
Tail Number
N73059
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI90FA265
THE PILOT WAS BUZZING A FARMER'S SUNFLOWER FIELDS TO CHASE AWAY THE BLACKBIRDS WHICH WERE EATING THE SUNFLOWER SEEDS. HE HAD BEEN DOING THIS DAILY FOR TWO WEEKS. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS OPERATING AT APPROXIMATELY 50-75 FEET WHEN IT STARTED A CLIMB TO APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET. THE AIRCRAFT THEN ENTERED A SPIN AND IMPACTED NOSE DOWN IN THE SUNFLOWER FIELD.
NTSB Probable Cause
FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A SAFE AIRSPEED RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT STALL/SPIN.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT WAS BUZZING A FARMER'S SUNFLOWER FIELDS TO CHASE AWAY THE BLACKBIRDS WHICH WERE EATING THE SUNFLOWER SEEDS. HE HAD BEEN DOING THIS DAILY FOR TWO WEEKS. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS OPERATING AT APPROXIMATELY 50-75 FEET WHEN IT STARTED A CLIMB TO APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET. THE AIRCRAFT THEN ENTERED A SPIN AND IMPACTED NOSE DOWN IN THE SUNFLOWER FIELD.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:15 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172M
Tail NumberN73059
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 44 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind20° @ 14 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 46
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time14:50
Weather SourceWFAC