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
April 7, 1989 · Cessna 152 · N66988
Bunker Hill, IL
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 7, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Bunker Hill, IL
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N66988
Operator
Premier Air Center
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI89LA070
THE STUDENT PLT RPRTD THAT DURING A PREFLT, HE CHECKED THE FUEL GAGES, VISUALLY INSPECTED THE FUEL TANKS & BELIEVED THE FUEL TANKS WERE ABOUT HALF FULL. HE TOOK OFF WITHOUT REFUELING THE ACFT. ABOUT 45 MIN LATER, THE ENG LOST POWER & THE STUDENT MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A WHEAT FIELD. DURING THE LANDING, THE ACFT NOSED OVER & WAS DAMAGED. RECORDS SHOWED THE ACFT HAD FLOWN 3.8 HRS ON A PREVIOUS FLT, AFTER IT WAS LAST REFUELED. AT ECONOMY CRUISE, MAX FLT TIME FOR THIS ACFT WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 4.22 HRS.
NTSB Probable Cause
IMPROPER PREFLIGHT BY THE STUDENT PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: SOFT TERRAIN.
Full Narrative
THE STUDENT PLT RPRTD THAT DURING A PREFLT, HE CHECKED THE FUEL GAGES, VISUALLY INSPECTED THE FUEL TANKS & BELIEVED THE FUEL TANKS WERE ABOUT HALF FULL. HE TOOK OFF WITHOUT REFUELING THE ACFT. ABOUT 45 MIN LATER, THE ENG LOST POWER & THE STUDENT MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A WHEAT FIELD. DURING THE LANDING, THE ACFT NOSED OVER & WAS DAMAGED. RECORDS SHOWED THE ACFT HAD FLOWN 3.8 HRS ON A PREVIOUS FLT, AFTER IT WAS LAST REFUELED. AT ECONOMY CRUISE, MAX FLT TIME FOR THIS ACFT WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 4.22 HRS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:35 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN66988
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPremier Air Center
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 110
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 47 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 5 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingOvercast 5000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time16:50
Weather SourceWFAC