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
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open 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…

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 manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

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 25, 1989 · Beech C23 · N6573R

Barranquitas, PR

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 25, 1989
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Location
Barranquitas, PR
Aircraft
Beech C23
Tail Number
N6573R
Operator
Looss Aviation Center
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA89FA233

THE PLT (FM THE NETHERLANDS) WAS CHECKED OUT IN THE ACFT BY AN INSTRUCTOR PLT (CFI). AFTER A 40 MIN CHECK-OUT FLT, THE PLT & 3 PAX TOOK OFF ON A LOCAL FLT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CRASHED IN A RAVINE/VALLEY AREA (ORIENTED IN A NORTH-SOUTH DIRECTION ON MOUNTAINOUS/HILLY TERRAIN). IMPACT OCCURRED ON THE EASTERN SLOPE OF THE VALLEY AT AN ELEV OF APRX 1100 FT. DRG IMPACT, THE ENG WAS BURIED IN DIRT & THE ACFT BEGAN BURNING. AN EXAM OF THE PROP REVEALED CHORDWISE SCRATCHES ON BOTH BLADES AS WELL AS S-CURLING. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE/MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. WITNESSES RPRTD SEEING A SINGLE ENG ACFT FLYING LOW IN THE RAVINES (VALLEYS). SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THEY HEARD THE ACFT CRASH, THEN THEY SAW SMOKE/FIRE FROM THE ACDNT SITE. THE ACFT WAS ESTIMATED TO BE LOADED ABOUT 48 LBS OVER ITS MAX WT LIMIT.

NTSB Probable Cause

IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE FLYING SPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL AND SUBSEQUENT IMPACT WITH THE TERRAIN. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: OPERATION OF THE AIRCRAFT BY THE PILOT WITH EXCESSIVE GROSS WEIGHT, HIS LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF AIRCRAFT AND THE TERRAIN CONDITIONS.

Full Narrative

THE PLT (FM THE NETHERLANDS) WAS CHECKED OUT IN THE ACFT BY AN INSTRUCTOR PLT (CFI). AFTER A 40 MIN CHECK-OUT FLT, THE PLT & 3 PAX TOOK OFF ON A LOCAL FLT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CRASHED IN A RAVINE/VALLEY AREA (ORIENTED IN A NORTH-SOUTH DIRECTION ON MOUNTAINOUS/HILLY TERRAIN). IMPACT OCCURRED ON THE EASTERN SLOPE OF THE VALLEY AT AN ELEV OF APRX 1100 FT. DRG IMPACT, THE ENG WAS BURIED IN DIRT & THE ACFT BEGAN BURNING. AN EXAM OF THE PROP REVEALED CHORDWISE SCRATCHES ON BOTH BLADES AS WELL AS S-CURLING. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE/MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. WITNESSES RPRTD SEEING A SINGLE ENG ACFT FLYING LOW IN THE RAVINES (VALLEYS). SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THEY HEARD THE ACFT CRASH, THEN THEY SAW SMOKE/FIRE FROM THE ACDNT SITE. THE ACFT WAS ESTIMATED TO BE LOADED ABOUT 48 LBS OVER ITS MAX WT LIMIT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:59 AST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftBeech C23
Tail NumberN6573R
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorLooss Aviation Center
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4J · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Fatal4
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 33 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 12 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time19:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data