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
February 20, 1988 · Taylorcraft BC12-D · N29779
Big Spring, TX
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 20, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Big Spring, TX
Aircraft
Taylorcraft BC12-D
Tail Number
N29779
Operator
Edward Hart
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW88FA069
THE PILOT WAS ON A LOCAL PLEASURE FLIGHT PRACTICING AEROBATIC MANEUVERS IN THE VICINITY OF THE AIRPORT. WITNESSES THOUGHT THE PILOT WAS ENTERING THE PATTERN FOR LANDING AT THE COMPLETION OF THE AEROBATIC PRACTICE. THEY NOTED A POWER REDUCTION AFTER WHICH THE AIRCRAFT ASSUMED AN APPROXIMATE 45 DEGREES NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE THAT CONTINUED UNTIL IT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND. POST MORTEM STUDIES SHOWED MARKED ATHEROSCLEROTIC CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE, WITH SIGNIFICANT THREE VESSEL CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE. BOTH THE PATHOLOGIST AND THE PARTICIPATING FAA ASSISTANT REGIONAL FLIGHT SURGEON CONSIDERED THAT THE PILOT PROBABLY HAD A SUDDEN SEVERE INFLIGHT INCAPACITATION IN THIS INSTANCE.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT WAS ON A LOCAL PLEASURE FLIGHT PRACTICING AEROBATIC MANEUVERS IN THE VICINITY OF THE AIRPORT. WITNESSES THOUGHT THE PILOT WAS ENTERING THE PATTERN FOR LANDING AT THE COMPLETION OF THE AEROBATIC PRACTICE. THEY NOTED A POWER REDUCTION AFTER WHICH THE AIRCRAFT ASSUMED AN APPROXIMATE 45 DEGREES NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE THAT CONTINUED UNTIL IT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND. POST MORTEM STUDIES SHOWED MARKED ATHEROSCLEROTIC CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE, WITH SIGNIFICANT THREE VESSEL CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE. BOTH THE PATHOLOGIST AND THE PARTICIPATING FAA ASSISTANT REGIONAL FLIGHT SURGEON CONSIDERED THAT THE PILOT PROBABLY HAD A SUDDEN SEVERE INFLIGHT INCAPACITATION IN THIS INSTANCE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:25 CST
Nearest AirportEdwards Ranch Prvt Strip (0nm N)
Runway19
Runway Length520 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftTaylorcraft BC12-D
Tail NumberN29779
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorEdward Hart
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-B2B · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 55 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 16 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 19 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:30
Weather SourceWFAC