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
December 21, 1988 · Piper PA-24-250 · N751SP
Elephant Butte, NM
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 21, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Elephant Butte, NM
Aircraft
Piper PA-24-250
Tail Number
N751SP
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN89FA045
DURING A RETURN FLIGHT FROM HAVING MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON THE ACFT THE PLT EXECUTED A LOW PASS BY HIS HOME WHICH WAS LOCATED ON A POINT OF LAND OVERLOOKING ELEPHANT BUTTE RESERVOIR, NM. DURING THE MANEUVER WHILE IN A STEEP TURN THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE WATER AND SEPARATED FROM THE ACFT. THE ACFT CARTWHEELED AND SANK. WX AT THE TIME WAS VMC WITH THE WATER SURFACE SMOOTH AND GLASSY. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES THIS MANEUVER WAS COMMONLY PERFORMED BY THE PLT ON RETURNING HOME.
Full Narrative
DURING A RETURN FLIGHT FROM HAVING MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON THE ACFT THE PLT EXECUTED A LOW PASS BY HIS HOME WHICH WAS LOCATED ON A POINT OF LAND OVERLOOKING ELEPHANT BUTTE RESERVOIR, NM. DURING THE MANEUVER WHILE IN A STEEP TURN THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE WATER AND SEPARATED FROM THE ACFT. THE ACFT CARTWHEELED AND SANK. WX AT THE TIME WAS VMC WITH THE WATER SURFACE SMOOTH AND GLASSY. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES THIS MANEUVER WAS COMMONLY PERFORMED BY THE PLT ON RETURNING HOME.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:05 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-24-250
Tail NumberN751SP
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-A1A5 · Reciprocating · 250
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 58 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 3 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46 / 21 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:49
Weather SourceWFAC