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
November 6, 1988 · Cessna 152 · N5462B
Smithfield, RI
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 6, 1988
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Smithfield, RI
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N5462B
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC89FA021
THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO MAKE 2 OR 3 LOW & SLOW PASSES OVER AN AREA NEAR THE PASSENGER'S HOME. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, IT BEGAN ASCENDING OVER A TREE LINE, THEN IT NOSED DOWN & CRASHED. THE PASSENGER'S HUSBAND & DAUGHTER WERE OUTSIDE THEIR HOME & SAW THE ACDNT. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT OR ENG WAS FOUND DRG THE INVESTIGATION.
NTSB Probable Cause
FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED AFTER BEGINNING AN ASCENT FROM A LOW PASS, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL & LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL. INADEQUATE ALTITUDE TO RECOVER FROM A STALL WAS CONSIDERED TO BE A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO MAKE 2 OR 3 LOW & SLOW PASSES OVER AN AREA NEAR THE PASSENGER'S HOME. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, IT BEGAN ASCENDING OVER A TREE LINE, THEN IT NOSED DOWN & CRASHED. THE PASSENGER'S HUSBAND & DAUGHTER WERE OUTSIDE THEIR HOME & SAW THE ACDNT. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT OR ENG WAS FOUND DRG THE INVESTIGATION.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:45 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN5462B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 110
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 37 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 10 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 45 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time18:50
Weather SourceWFAC