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
May 7, 1989 · Grigg/Bowers Flybaby · N1305
West Plains, MO
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 7, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
West Plains, MO
Aircraft
Grigg/Bowers Flybaby
Tail Number
N1305
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MKC89DCG01
THE PLT HAD FLOWN ANOTHER ACFT FROM DIKE, IA TO JONESBORO, AR & HAD TRADED IT FOR N1305, WHICH HE WAS FLYING BACK TO DIKE. HE HAD PLANNED AN INTERMEDIATE STOP AT WEST PLAINS, MO. IN THE VICINITY OF WEST PLAINS, WITNESSES HEARD A POPPING SOUND FROM THE ENG. THE PLT LANDED IN A FLD OF KNEE HIGH GRASS NEAR WEST PLAINS. AFTER REPAIRING A REPORTED PROBLEM WITH A SCREW ON THE CARBURETOR, THE PLT ELECTED TO FLY THE ACFT OUT OF THE FIELD. HE INITIATED A TAKEOFF TO THE EAST ON SLIGHTLY RISING TERRAIN WITH A SLIGHT TAIL WIND. AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE ACFT GAINED LITTLE ALTITUDE BFR RCHG POWER LINES & ENTERED A SHARP TURN. IT THEN PITCHED DOWN & CRASHED. WITNESSES REPORTED THE WIND WAS GENTLE FM THE WEST, BUT MOVEMENT OF TREETOPS INDCD A STRONGER WIND ALOFT.
NTSB Probable Cause
IMPROPER PREFLIGHT PLANNING BY THE PILOT AND HIS FAILURE TO ATTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL AS HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO AVOID A POWER TRANSMISSION LINE. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: RISING TERRAIN, TALL GRASS, TAILWIND, AND THE TRANSMISSION WIRES.
Full Narrative
THE PLT HAD FLOWN ANOTHER ACFT FROM DIKE, IA TO JONESBORO, AR & HAD TRADED IT FOR N1305, WHICH HE WAS FLYING BACK TO DIKE. HE HAD PLANNED AN INTERMEDIATE STOP AT WEST PLAINS, MO. IN THE VICINITY OF WEST PLAINS, WITNESSES HEARD A POPPING SOUND FROM THE ENG. THE PLT LANDED IN A FLD OF KNEE HIGH GRASS NEAR WEST PLAINS. AFTER REPAIRING A REPORTED PROBLEM WITH A SCREW ON THE CARBURETOR, THE PLT ELECTED TO FLY THE ACFT OUT OF THE FIELD. HE INITIATED A TAKEOFF TO THE EAST ON SLIGHTLY RISING TERRAIN WITH A SLIGHT TAIL WIND. AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE ACFT GAINED LITTLE ALTITUDE BFR RCHG POWER LINES & ENTERED A SHARP TURN. IT THEN PITCHED DOWN & CRASHED. WITNESSES REPORTED THE WIND WAS GENTLE FM THE WEST, BUT MOVEMENT OF TREETOPS INDCD A STRONGER WIND ALOFT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:34 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftGrigg/Bowers Flybaby
Tail NumberN1305
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-85-12F · Reciprocating · 85
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 41 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 5 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 30 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:52
Weather SourceWFAC