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 14, 1989 · Piper PA-24-180 · N5983P
Albuquerque, NM
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 14, 1989
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Location
Albuquerque, NM
Aircraft
Piper PA-24-180
Tail Number
N5983P
Operator
Roy E Abbott
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN89FA061
A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WAS EXPERIENCED DURING INITIAL TAKEOFF CLIMB. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO TURN BACK TO THE AIRPORT. ACCORDING TO THE PASSENGER, THE STALL HORN ACTIVATED DURING THE TURN AND THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PILOT TOOK OFF WITH THE FUEL SELECTOR POSITIONED ON THE RIGHT WING FUEL TANK WHICH CONTAINED ONLY RESIDUAL FUEL.
NTSB Probable Cause
ENGINE STOPPAGE FROM FUEL STARVATION WHICH RESULTED FROM THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO SELECT THE FULLEST TANK FOR TAKEOFF. IN ADDITION THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT DURING THE FORCED LANDING AND INADVERTENTLY STALLED THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE DESCENDING TURN.
Full Narrative
A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WAS EXPERIENCED DURING INITIAL TAKEOFF CLIMB. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO TURN BACK TO THE AIRPORT. ACCORDING TO THE PASSENGER, THE STALL HORN ACTIVATED DURING THE TURN AND THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PILOT TOOK OFF WITH THE FUEL SELECTOR POSITIONED ON THE RIGHT WING FUEL TANK WHICH CONTAINED ONLY RESIDUAL FUEL.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:30 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-24-180
Tail NumberN5983P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorRoy E Abbott
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A1A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Fatal1
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 61 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point25 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT