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
October 6, 1988 · Piper PA-23-250 · N6815Y
La Belle, FL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 6, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
La Belle, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA-23-250
Tail Number
N6815Y
Operator
Souther Field Aviation
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA89LA006
THE PILOT WHILE ON A FERRY PERMIT FLIGHT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE OF THE #4 CYL OF THE LEFT ENGINE AND DID NOT ATTAIN THE VYSE SPEED AND THE AIRCRAFT STARTED TO DESCEND. THE PILOT DITCHED THE AIRCRAFT IN A LAKE AND IT WAS NOT RECOVERED. NO RECORDS ON THE ENGINES OR AIRFRAME WERE AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE OF THE ENG HAD OPENED THE COWLING ON THE DEAD ENG WHICH ADDED CONSIDERABLE DRAG TO THE AIRFRAME, REDUCING THE AIRSPEED.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT WHILE ON A FERRY PERMIT FLIGHT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE OF THE #4 CYL OF THE LEFT ENGINE AND DID NOT ATTAIN THE VYSE SPEED AND THE AIRCRAFT STARTED TO DESCEND. THE PILOT DITCHED THE AIRCRAFT IN A LAKE AND IT WAS NOT RECOVERED. NO RECORDS ON THE ENGINES OR AIRFRAME WERE AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE OF THE ENG HAD OPENED THE COWLING ON THE DEAD ENG WHICH ADDED CONSIDERABLE DRAG TO THE AIRFRAME, REDUCING THE AIRSPEED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:00 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-23-250
Tail NumberN6815Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSouther Field Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-A · Reciprocating · 250
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 37 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind135° @ 10 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO