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 17, 1988 · De Havilland DHC-6-100 · N202RH
Tau, AQ
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 17, 1988
Injury Outcomes
16 injuries (1 serious injury, 15 minor injuries)
Location
Tau, AQ
Aircraft
De Havilland DHC-6-100
Tail Number
N202RH
Operator
Somoa Aviation
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX88LA226
THE CAPTAIN, WHO WAS FLYING THE TWIN OTTER FROM THE RIGHT SEAT, ENTERED A RIGHT HAND TRAFFIC PATTERN FOR LANDING. A LEFT QUARTERING, 15 KNOT HEADWIND, WAS GUSTING ACROSS THE AIRPORT. UPON TURNING TO THE FINAL APPROACH THE CAPTAIN REDUCED THE AIRCRAFT'S ENGINE POWER TO THE LOW SPEED RANGE FOR THE VISUAL APPROACH. AS THE AIRCRAFT NEARED THE RUNWAY THE RATE OF DESCENT ACCELERATED. THE CAPTAIN'S APPLICATION OF FULL ENGINE POWER FAILED TO ARREST THE AIRCRAFT'S RATE OF DESCENT AND THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND SHORT OF THE RUNWAY.
Full Narrative
THE CAPTAIN, WHO WAS FLYING THE TWIN OTTER FROM THE RIGHT SEAT, ENTERED A RIGHT HAND TRAFFIC PATTERN FOR LANDING. A LEFT QUARTERING, 15 KNOT HEADWIND, WAS GUSTING ACROSS THE AIRPORT. UPON TURNING TO THE FINAL APPROACH THE CAPTAIN REDUCED THE AIRCRAFT'S ENGINE POWER TO THE LOW SPEED RANGE FOR THE VISUAL APPROACH. AS THE AIRCRAFT NEARED THE RUNWAY THE RATE OF DESCENT ACCELERATED. THE CAPTAIN'S APPLICATION OF FULL ENGINE POWER FAILED TO ARREST THE AIRCRAFT'S RATE OF DESCENT AND THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND SHORT OF THE RUNWAY.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:36 UTC
Nearest AirportTAU (0nm N)
Runway17
Runway Length2200 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftDe Havilland DHC-6-100
Tail NumberN202RH
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorSomoa Aviation
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W · PT6A-20 · Turboprop · 579
Seats16
People & Injuries
Injury Summary16 injuries (1 serious injury, 15 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor15
Uninjured0
Total16
Crew 1Age 51 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind140° @ 15 kt, gusting 18 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO