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
September 21, 1988 · Cessna 185F · N61500
Chip River, AK
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 21, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Chip River, AK
Aircraft
Cessna 185F
Tail Number
N61500
Operator
Cape Smythe Air Service
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC88LA145
THE AIR TAXI PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON THE SNOW COVERED TUNDRA NEAR HIS PASSENGER'S FISH CAMP. THE TUNDRA HAD NOT YET FROZEN SUFFICIENTLY TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE AIRPLANE, AND THE MAIN LANDING GEAR QUICKLY BECAME MIRED IN THE SOFT SOIL, CAUSING THE AIRPLANE TO DECELERATE RAPIDLY AND NOSE OVER.
Full Narrative
THE AIR TAXI PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON THE SNOW COVERED TUNDRA NEAR HIS PASSENGER'S FISH CAMP. THE TUNDRA HAD NOT YET FROZEN SUFFICIENTLY TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE AIRPLANE, AND THE MAIN LANDING GEAR QUICKLY BECAME MIRED IN THE SOFT SOIL, CAUSING THE AIRPLANE TO DECELERATE RAPIDLY AND NOSE OVER.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:47 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 185F
Tail NumberN61500
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCape Smythe Air Service
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-D · Reciprocating · 300
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 37 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility5 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 700 ft
Temperature / Dew Point32 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO