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
August 18, 1989 · Piper PA-18A · N3877P
Copper Center, AK
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 18, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Copper Center, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-18A
Tail Number
N3877P
Operator
Gillis Mel
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC89LA150
DURING ROLL OUT THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. A WHEEL LANDING WAS MADE ON ROUGH TERRAIN. HARD BRAKING WAS USED WHICH RESULTED IN THE PROPELLER GOUGING INTO THE GROUND. THE AIRPLANE THEN NOSED OVER ONTO ITS BACK. THE LANDING WAS MADE ON ROUGH OFF-AIRPORT TERRAIN.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR LANDING BY THE PILOT. HE SUBSEQUENTLY LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE WHEN HE IMPROPERLY APPLIED HARD BRAKING DURING A WHEEL LANDING.
Full Narrative
DURING ROLL OUT THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. A WHEEL LANDING WAS MADE ON ROUGH TERRAIN. HARD BRAKING WAS USED WHICH RESULTED IN THE PROPELLER GOUGING INTO THE GROUND. THE AIRPLANE THEN NOSED OVER ONTO ITS BACK. THE LANDING WAS MADE ON ROUGH OFF-AIRPORT TERRAIN.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:00 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-18A
Tail NumberN3877P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorGillis Mel
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 30 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 10 kt
Visibility60 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 61 F
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO