NTSB Reports
Aviation Safety Intelligence
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.

Get the iPhone App
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

August 30, 1988 · Commens Midget Mustang I Midget MUS · N35LC

Davie, FL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 30, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Davie, FL
Aircraft
Commens Midget Mustang I Midget MUS
Tail Number
N35LC
Operator
Balkum Bruce F
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA88FA262

THE PRIVATE PILOT FLYING THE HOMEBUILT AIRCRAFT CRASHED INTO A SWAMP, AND THERE WERE NO WITNESSES. THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOCATED 4 DAYS LATER. FRIENDS OF THE PILOT RECALLED THAT IN THE 3 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT THE PILOT HAD BRAGGED TO THEM ABOUT THE HIGH 'G' AEROBATIC MANEUVERS HE HAD BEEN DOING. A REVIEW OF THE PILOTS RECORDS REVEALED THAT HE HAD RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 3 HOURS OF AEROBATIC INSTRUCTION 2 YEARS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THE ACFT IMPACTED IN A 50 DEGREE NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE ACFT'S FLT CONTROL CONTINUITY WAS ESTABLISHED IN A POST ACC INSPECTION. THE AILERONS HAD FAILED AT THEIR MOUNTS BUT WERE AT THE ACC SITE.

Full Narrative

THE PRIVATE PILOT FLYING THE HOMEBUILT AIRCRAFT CRASHED INTO A SWAMP, AND THERE WERE NO WITNESSES. THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOCATED 4 DAYS LATER. FRIENDS OF THE PILOT RECALLED THAT IN THE 3 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT THE PILOT HAD BRAGGED TO THEM ABOUT THE HIGH 'G' AEROBATIC MANEUVERS HE HAD BEEN DOING. A REVIEW OF THE PILOTS RECORDS REVEALED THAT HE HAD RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 3 HOURS OF AEROBATIC INSTRUCTION 2 YEARS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THE ACFT IMPACTED IN A 50 DEGREE NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE ACFT'S FLT CONTROL CONTINUITY WAS ESTABLISHED IN A POST ACC INSPECTION. THE AILERONS HAD FAILED AT THEIR MOUNTS BUT WERE AT THE ACC SITE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCommens Midget Mustang I Midget MUS
Tail NumberN35LC
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorBalkum Bruce F
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2B · Reciprocating · 150
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 31 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 10 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time18:47
Weather SourceWFAC

External Links

Appendix: Source Data