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
January 31, 1989 · Cessna 172F · N8264U
Bruceton Mills, WV
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 31, 1989
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Bruceton Mills, WV
Aircraft
Cessna 172F
Tail Number
N8264U
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
BFO89LA017
THE PLT SAID HE WAS CRUISING AT 3800 FT AND ABOUT 15 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF THE ENG BEGAN LOSING POWER. HE TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE PLT SAID HE SUSPECTED CARB ICE. HE LANDED ON A HIGHWAY AND WENT OFF THE SIDE INTO A DITCH WHERE THE ACFT ERUPTED ON FIRE. THE TEMP, 38 F; DEW PT, 33 F; CONDITIONS WERE CONDUCIVE TO INDUCTION ICING. EXAMINATION OF THE ENG DID NOT REVEAL EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE POWER LOSS OCCURRED BECAUSE OF CARBURETOR ICE WHICH OBSTRUCTED AIRFLOW TO THE INDUCTION SYSTEM. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS, THE HIGHWAY AND THE DITCH WHICH WAS CONTACTED.
Full Narrative
THE PLT SAID HE WAS CRUISING AT 3800 FT AND ABOUT 15 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF THE ENG BEGAN LOSING POWER. HE TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE PLT SAID HE SUSPECTED CARB ICE. HE LANDED ON A HIGHWAY AND WENT OFF THE SIDE INTO A DITCH WHERE THE ACFT ERUPTED ON FIRE. THE TEMP, 38 F; DEW PT, 33 F; CONDITIONS WERE CONDUCIVE TO INDUCTION ICING. EXAMINATION OF THE ENG DID NOT REVEAL EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:15 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172F
Tail NumberN8264U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300 · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 55 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
Wind190° @ 10 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point37 C / 34 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time11:36
Weather SourceWFAC