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 27, 1989 · Adams · N4022Q
Soleburg, PA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 27, 1989
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (1 serious injury, 2 minor injuries), 1 uninjured
Location
Soleburg, PA
Aircraft
Adams
Tail Number
N4022Q
Operator
Robert Mueller
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
NYC89LA131
THE PILOT SAID THAT AT TAKEOFF THE WIND WAS CALM; HOWEVER, AFTER ABOUT 45 MINUTES OF FLIGHT, THE WIND INCREASED SO HE ATTEMPTED TO LAND THE BALLOON IN THE NEAREST ACCEPTABLE LANDING AREA. THE WIND WAS ABOUT 15 TO 18 KNOTS AT THE TIME OF THE LANDING. THE PILOT SAID THAT THE BASKET FELL OVER AND A PASSENGER FELL OUT. THE BALLOON THEN WENT AIRBORNE AGAIN DUE TO THE LOSS OF WEIGHT AND RELANDED, HITTING THE PASSENGER WITH THE BASKET. THE BASKET CONTAINED NO RESTRAINING DEVICES TO HELP THE OCCUPANTS REMAIN INSIDE.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE WEATHER EVALUATION WHICH RESULTED IN DELAYING THE PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT INCLUDED HIGH WINDS AND THE LACK OF RESTRAINING DEVICES INSIDE THE BASKET TO HELP THE OCCUPANTS REMAIN INSIDE.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT SAID THAT AT TAKEOFF THE WIND WAS CALM; HOWEVER, AFTER ABOUT 45 MINUTES OF FLIGHT, THE WIND INCREASED SO HE ATTEMPTED TO LAND THE BALLOON IN THE NEAREST ACCEPTABLE LANDING AREA. THE WIND WAS ABOUT 15 TO 18 KNOTS AT THE TIME OF THE LANDING. THE PILOT SAID THAT THE BASKET FELL OVER AND A PASSENGER FELL OUT. THE BALLOON THEN WENT AIRBORNE AGAIN DUE TO THE LOSS OF WEIGHT AND RELANDED, HITTING THE PASSENGER WITH THE BASKET. THE BASKET CONTAINED NO RESTRAINING DEVICES TO HELP THE OCCUPANTS REMAIN INSIDE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:15 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftAdams
Tail NumberN4022Q
Aircraft CategoryBall
OperatorRobert Mueller
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (1 serious injury, 2 minor injuries), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor2
Uninjured1
Total4
Crew 1Age 62 · Unknown
Conditions
ConditionsUnknown
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 18 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO