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
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open 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…

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 manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

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

April 4, 1988 · Cessna 207 · N207CA

Hardwick, MN

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 4, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Hardwick, MN
Aircraft
Cessna 207
Tail Number
N207CA
Operator
Northland Air Freight
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI88FA092

WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT FOR APRX 8 MINUTES IN ERRATIC DIVING, CLIMBING, AND STEEP-TURNING MANEUVERS WHICH CULMINATED IN A 12 DEGREE DESCENT TO THE GROUND. THE SOUND OF THE ENG WAS HEARD THROUGHOUT THE SEQUENCE AND OTHER EVIDENCE INDICATED ENGINE POWER AT IMPACT. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK TREES, A FARM BLDG, FARM EQUIPMENT, AND A VEHICLE, THEN BURST INTO FLAMES. THE WRECKAGE WAS STREWN ALONG A 320 FT PATH. NO EVIDENCE OF FLIGHT CONTROL MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. THE PLT CLAIMED AN UPSET STOMACH BEFORE THE FLT. THE PILOT'S SPEECH WAS SLURRED IN RADIO TRANSMISSIONS. THE PLT DID NOT RESPOND TO THE LAST RADIO CALL FROM SIOUX FALLS TOWER. NO EMERGENCY OR DISTRESS CALLS WERE RECEIVED FROM THE PILOT. THE POSTMORTEM EXAM OF THE PLT DID NOT IDENTIFY SPECIFIC IMPAIRMENT BUT WAS LIMITED DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF THE IMPACT AND FIRE DAMAGE.

Full Narrative

WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT FOR APRX 8 MINUTES IN ERRATIC DIVING, CLIMBING, AND STEEP-TURNING MANEUVERS WHICH CULMINATED IN A 12 DEGREE DESCENT TO THE GROUND. THE SOUND OF THE ENG WAS HEARD THROUGHOUT THE SEQUENCE AND OTHER EVIDENCE INDICATED ENGINE POWER AT IMPACT. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK TREES, A FARM BLDG, FARM EQUIPMENT, AND A VEHICLE, THEN BURST INTO FLAMES. THE WRECKAGE WAS STREWN ALONG A 320 FT PATH. NO EVIDENCE OF FLIGHT CONTROL MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. THE PLT CLAIMED AN UPSET STOMACH BEFORE THE FLT. THE PILOT'S SPEECH WAS SLURRED IN RADIO TRANSMISSIONS. THE PLT DID NOT RESPOND TO THE LAST RADIO CALL FROM SIOUX FALLS TOWER. NO EMERGENCY OR DISTRESS CALLS WERE RECEIVED FROM THE PILOT. THE POSTMORTEM EXAM OF THE PLT DID NOT IDENTIFY SPECIFIC IMPAIRMENT BUT WAS LIMITED DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF THE IMPACT AND FIRE DAMAGE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:20 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 207
Tail NumberN207CA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorNorthland Air Freight
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-F · Reciprocating · 250
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 52 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 9 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingOvercast 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 43 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time22:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data