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
June 22, 1988 · Cessna T188C · N4970J
Big Timber, MT
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 22, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Big Timber, MT
Aircraft
Cessna T188C
Tail Number
N4970J
Operator
Yellowstone Air Service
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN88LA134
THE PLT SAID HE WAS SPRAYING 2,4,D ON TWO BARLEY FLDS. HE HAD COMPLETED ONE FLD AND WAS TURNING AROUND WHEN THE ACFT BEGAN TO SETTLE. HE SAID WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO AVOID GROUND CONTACT THE ACFT STALLED AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND. DURING A TELEPHONE CONVERSATION ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT THE PLT SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE ACFT OR ENG AND THAT HE JUST MUST HAVE HIT 'DEAD AIR' (A DOWNDRAFT OR TAILWIND). SEVERAL DAYS AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE PLT REPORTED THAT IN HIS OPINION THE ENG WAS NOT PRODUCING POWER AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE ENG WAS THEN DISASSEMBLED BUT NO EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT A LOSS OF PWR WAS FOUND.
Full Narrative
THE PLT SAID HE WAS SPRAYING 2,4,D ON TWO BARLEY FLDS. HE HAD COMPLETED ONE FLD AND WAS TURNING AROUND WHEN THE ACFT BEGAN TO SETTLE. HE SAID WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO AVOID GROUND CONTACT THE ACFT STALLED AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND. DURING A TELEPHONE CONVERSATION ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT THE PLT SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE ACFT OR ENG AND THAT HE JUST MUST HAVE HIT 'DEAD AIR' (A DOWNDRAFT OR TAILWIND). SEVERAL DAYS AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE PLT REPORTED THAT IN HIS OPINION THE ENG WAS NOT PRODUCING POWER AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE ENG WAS THEN DISASSEMBLED BUT NO EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT A LOSS OF PWR WAS FOUND.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:00 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna T188C
Tail NumberN4970J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorYellowstone Air Service
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520-T · Reciprocating · 310
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 60 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility70 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO