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
August 8, 1988 · Piper PA-32RT-300 PA-32RT-30 · N8355L
Edna, TX
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 8, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Edna, TX
Aircraft
Piper PA-32RT-300 PA-32RT-30
Tail Number
N8355L
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW88LA148
UPON ARRIVAL AT THE UNCONTROLLED DESTINATION AIRPORT, THE PILOT MADE A VISUAL APPROACH AND DETERMINED THAT THE 'LIGHTS LOOKED DIFFERENT THAN THEY NORMALLY DID.' THEREFORE A GO-AROUND WAS INITIATED AND A SECOND APPROACH COMMENCED. LATE IN THE SECOND APPROACH THE PILOT REALIZED THAT HE WAS ABOUT TO LAND IN A CULVERT AND APPLIED FULL POWER, BUT WAS UNABLE TO AVOID THE COLLISION WITH THE TERRAIN. ALTHOUGH THE NDB AND ROTATING BEACON WERE OPERATING, THE RUNWAY HAD BEEN CLOSED SINCE 7/19/88 FOR CONSTRUCTION. THE RUNWAY LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATED FOR THE ATTEMPTED LANDING IN DARK NIGHT VFR CONDITIONS. IMPACT OCCURRED BETWEEN THE RUNWAY AND A PARALLEL TAXIWAY. A NOTAM WAS ISSUED, HOWEVER, DURING THE WEATHER BRIEF THE PILOT DID NOT SPECIFY HIS DESTINATION. THEREFORE, IT WAS NOT RECEIVED.
NTSB Probable Cause
A DELAY IN INITIATION OF THE GO-AROUND DURING THE PILOT'S SECOND ATTEMPT TO LAND IN THE DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE RUNWAY CLOSURE DUE TO CONSTRUCTION, WHICH RESULTED IN NO RUNWAY LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, AND THE FACT THAT THE PILOT DID NOT RECEIVE THE APPROPRIATE NOTAM.
Full Narrative
UPON ARRIVAL AT THE UNCONTROLLED DESTINATION AIRPORT, THE PILOT MADE A VISUAL APPROACH AND DETERMINED THAT THE 'LIGHTS LOOKED DIFFERENT THAN THEY NORMALLY DID.' THEREFORE A GO-AROUND WAS INITIATED AND A SECOND APPROACH COMMENCED. LATE IN THE SECOND APPROACH THE PILOT REALIZED THAT HE WAS ABOUT TO LAND IN A CULVERT AND APPLIED FULL POWER, BUT WAS UNABLE TO AVOID THE COLLISION WITH THE TERRAIN. ALTHOUGH THE NDB AND ROTATING BEACON WERE OPERATING, THE RUNWAY HAD BEEN CLOSED SINCE 7/19/88 FOR CONSTRUCTION. THE RUNWAY LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATED FOR THE ATTEMPTED LANDING IN DARK NIGHT VFR CONDITIONS. IMPACT OCCURRED BETWEEN THE RUNWAY AND A PARALLEL TAXIWAY. A NOTAM WAS ISSUED, HOWEVER, DURING THE WEATHER BRIEF THE PILOT DID NOT SPECIFY HIS DESTINATION. THEREFORE, IT WAS NOT RECEIVED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:55 CDT
Nearest AirportJackson County (0nm N)
Runway14
Runway Length3400 ft
Runway Width65 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-32RT-300 PA-32RT-30
Tail NumberN8355L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TIO-540-S1AD · Reciprocating · 300
Seats7
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 47 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind170° @ 7 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO