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
March 21, 1989 · Piper PA-28-161 · N84435
Fullerton, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 21, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Fullerton, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-161
Tail Number
N84435
Operator
Aviation Facilities
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX89LA130
DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB THE ENGINE LOST POWER. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET. INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE AFTER THE ACCIDENT REVEALED THAT THE LEFT FUEL TANK WAS NEARLY EMPTY. THE RIGHT FUEL TANK CONTAINED APPROXIMATELY 10 GALLONS. THE FUEL SELECTOR HAD BEEN POSITIONED TO THE LEFT TANK FOR DEPARTURE.
NTSB Probable Cause
ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO FUEL STARVATION, THE SELECTION OF THE IMPROPER FUEL TANK BY THE STUDENT, AND POOR SUPERVISION BY THE INSTRUCTOR. CONTRIBUTING TO THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT WAS AN INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT OF THE AIRPLANE BY THE DUAL STUDENT.
Full Narrative
DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB THE ENGINE LOST POWER. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET. INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE AFTER THE ACCIDENT REVEALED THAT THE LEFT FUEL TANK WAS NEARLY EMPTY. THE RIGHT FUEL TANK CONTAINED APPROXIMATELY 10 GALLONS. THE FUEL SELECTOR HAD BEEN POSITIONED TO THE LEFT TANK FOR DEPARTURE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:40 PST
Nearest AirportFullerton (0nm N)
Runway24
Runway Length3121 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-161
Tail NumberN84435
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAviation Facilities
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D3G · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 21 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 8 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time22:43
Weather SourceWFAC