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
September 24, 1989 · Piper PA-22-160 · N9400D
China Grove, NC
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 24, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
China Grove, NC
Aircraft
Piper PA-22-160
Tail Number
N9400D
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL89LA218
THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES DURING INITIAL CLIMB, FOLLOWING AN ABORTED LANDING. THE PLT REPORTED THE FOLLOWING: THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED A 'WIND SHIFT' DURING FINAL APPROACH, AS IT CAME OVER AN OPEN FIELD AFTER CROSSING TREES. THE AIRPLANE THEN DROPPED 'REAL FAST', HIT THE GROUND A FEW FEET SHORT OF THE RWY, AND BOUNCED BACK INTO THE AIR. FULL POWER WAS APPLIED, AND AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO GO AROUND; THE AIRPLANE VEERED TO THE LEFT AND COLLIDED WITH TREES ADJACENT TO THE RWY.
NTSB Probable Cause
PILOT'S LOSS OF CONTROL DURING THE FINAL APPROACH IN THAT HE FAILED TO ESTABLISH A PROPER GLIDEPATH. THE AIRPLANE LANDED SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. DURING THE ATTEMPTED GO-AROUND HIS IMPROPER USE OF RUDDER AND AILERON, FOLLOWING THE APPLICATION OF FULL POWER, RESULTED IN A COLLISION WITH TREES TO THE LEFT OF THE RUNWAY.
Full Narrative
THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES DURING INITIAL CLIMB, FOLLOWING AN ABORTED LANDING. THE PLT REPORTED THE FOLLOWING: THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED A 'WIND SHIFT' DURING FINAL APPROACH, AS IT CAME OVER AN OPEN FIELD AFTER CROSSING TREES. THE AIRPLANE THEN DROPPED 'REAL FAST', HIT THE GROUND A FEW FEET SHORT OF THE RWY, AND BOUNCED BACK INTO THE AIR. FULL POWER WAS APPLIED, AND AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO GO AROUND; THE AIRPLANE VEERED TO THE LEFT AND COLLIDED WITH TREES ADJACENT TO THE RWY.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:30 EDT
Nearest AirportBROWN (0nm N)
Runway9
Runway Length1300 ft
Runway Width200 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-22-160
Tail NumberN9400D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 60 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind70° @ 9 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingOvercast 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 39 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:53
Weather SourceWFAC