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
January 17, 1988 · Piper PA-28-140 · N1727J
Creve Coeur, MO
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 17, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Creve Coeur, MO
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N1727J
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MKC88FA040
WITNESSES STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT SUDDENLY STARTED A VERTICAL CLIMB FROM A STRAIGHT AND LEVEL FLIGHT ATTITUDE. THE AIRPLANE LOST MOMENTUM WHILE IN THE CLIMB, THEN IT NOSED DOWN AND DOVE TOWARDS THE GROUND. IT EXPLODED UPON IMPACT AND WAS DESTROYED IN THE ENSUING POST-CRASH FIRE. CRUSH LINES ON THE FUSELAGE AND DEFORMITIES ON THE WINGS INDICATE THAT THE ANGLE OF MAIN IMPACT WAS APPROXIMATELY 46 DEGREES BELOW THE HORIZONTAL PLANE. ATTACHMENT, CONTINUITY, AND CORRECT TRAVEL WERE ESTABLISHED ON ALL PRIMARY AND SECONDARY FLIGHT CONTROL SURFACES AND SYSTEMS. AN ENGINE TEARDOWN INSPECTION PRODUCED NO EVIDENCE THAT WOULD SUGGEST THE OCCURRENCE OF AN IN-FLIGHT POWERPLANT FAILURE.
Full Narrative
WITNESSES STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT SUDDENLY STARTED A VERTICAL CLIMB FROM A STRAIGHT AND LEVEL FLIGHT ATTITUDE. THE AIRPLANE LOST MOMENTUM WHILE IN THE CLIMB, THEN IT NOSED DOWN AND DOVE TOWARDS THE GROUND. IT EXPLODED UPON IMPACT AND WAS DESTROYED IN THE ENSUING POST-CRASH FIRE. CRUSH LINES ON THE FUSELAGE AND DEFORMITIES ON THE WINGS INDICATE THAT THE ANGLE OF MAIN IMPACT WAS APPROXIMATELY 46 DEGREES BELOW THE HORIZONTAL PLANE. ATTACHMENT, CONTINUITY, AND CORRECT TRAVEL WERE ESTABLISHED ON ALL PRIMARY AND SECONDARY FLIGHT CONTROL SURFACES AND SYSTEMS. AN ENGINE TEARDOWN INSPECTION PRODUCED NO EVIDENCE THAT WOULD SUGGEST THE OCCURRENCE OF AN IN-FLIGHT POWERPLANT FAILURE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:39 CST
Nearest AirportCreve Coeur (0nm N)
Runway16
Runway Length2250 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN1727J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 51 · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 7 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingOvercast 1600 ft
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 46
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time20:50
Weather SourceWFAC