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
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

September 8, 1988 · Cessna 177RG · N33283

San Luis Obispo, CA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 8, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
San Luis Obispo, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 177RG
Tail Number
N33283
Operator
Lutzelmann Andreas M
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX88FA314

While enroute IFR to Santa Barbara the WX conditions went below minimums. The PLT first asked about Santa Maria (SMX) as an alternate but the WX was below minimums as well. The PLT then selected San Luis Obispo (SBP) for his alternate dest. Radar data showed the ACFT was high during the localizer approach to SBP and passed over the airport at 2,600 ft MSL (2,300 AGL). The controller issued a climb to 5,000 ft and told the PLT to execute the missed approach as published. There was confusion about the instruction. The PLT stated 'missed approach as published,' to which the controller responded 'affirmative'. Radar data showed the ACFT descended to 2,200 ft, where radar contact was lost. On site exam revealed the ACFT hit the top of a hill in a level std rate turn to the left. Two approach plates were on the PLTs clipboard, the SMX ILS & the SBP localizer. The SMX missed approach specifies a climbing left turn to 2,000 back to the VOR. Both approach plates look similiar.

NTSB Probable Cause

PILOTS ERRONEOUS INTERPRETATION OF HIS MISSED APPROACH CLEARANCE, AND, HIS PERFORMANCE OF THE PUBLISHED MISSED APPROACH PROCEDURE FOR THE SANTA MARIA ILS INSTEAD OF THE SAN LUIS OBISPO LOCALIZER.

Full Narrative

WHILE ENROUTE IFR TO SANTA BARBARA THE WX CONDITIONS WENT BELOW MINIMUMS. THE PLT FIRST ASKED ABOUT SANTA MARIA (SMX) AS AN ALTERNATE BUT THE WX WAS BELOW MINIMUMS AS WELL. THE PLT THEN SELECTED SAN LUIS OBISPO (SBP) FOR HIS ALTERNATE DEST. RADAR DATA SHOWED THE ACFT WAS HIGH DURING THE LOCALIZER APPROACH TO SBP AND PASSED OVER THE AIRPORT AT 2,600 FT MSL (2,300 AGL). THE CONTROLLER ISSUED A CLIMB TO 5,000 FT AND TOLD THE PLT TO EXECUTE THE MISSED APPROACH AS PUBLISHED. THERE WAS CONFUSION ABOUT THE INSTRUCTION. THE PLT STATED 'MISSED APPROACH AS PUBLISHED,' TO WHICH THE CONTROLLER RESPONDED 'AFFIRMATIVE'. RADAR DATA SHOWED THE ACFT DESCENDED TO 2,200 FT, WHERE RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST. ON SITE EXAM REVEALED THE ACFT HIT THE TOP OF A HILL IN A LEVEL STD RATE TURN TO THE LEFT. TWO APPROACH PLATES WERE ON THE PLTS CLIPBOARD, THE SMX ILS & THE SBP LOCALIZER. THE SMX MISSED APPROACH SPECIFIES A CLIMBING LEFT TURN TO 2,000 BACK TO THE VOR. BOTH APPROACH PLATES LOOK SIMILIAR.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:39 PDT
Nearest AirportSan Luis Obispo (0nm N)
Runway11
Runway Length4799 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 177RG
Tail NumberN33283
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorLutzelmann Andreas M
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-A1B6D · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 35 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind300° @ 4 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingOvercast 700 ft
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 54
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time03:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data