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 30, 1989 · Fletcher SONERAI-2L · N76DJ
Interlochen, MI
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 30, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Interlochen, MI
Aircraft
Fletcher SONERAI-2L
Tail Number
N76DJ
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI89DEM10
DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENG LOST POWER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO RETURN TO THE ARPT & THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING. NEW VALVES HAD RECENTLY BEEN INSTALLED IN THE ENG. AN EXAM OF THE HOME BUILT ACFT'S ENG REVEALED THE #3 CYLINDER HEAD WAS LOOSE & A HOLE HAD MELTED IN THE ALUMINUM CYLINDER HEAD.
NTSB Probable Cause
LOOSE CYLINDER DUE TO IMPROPER MAINTENANCE BY THE PILOT/OWNER, WHICH RESULTED IN OVERHEATING AND FAILURE OF THE ALUMINUM CYLINDER HEAD. THE PRESENCE OF TREES WAS CONSIDERED TO BE A FACTOR.
Full Narrative
DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENG LOST POWER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO RETURN TO THE ARPT & THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING. NEW VALVES HAD RECENTLY BEEN INSTALLED IN THE ENG. AN EXAM OF THE HOME BUILT ACFT'S ENG REVEALED THE #3 CYLINDER HEAD WAS LOOSE & A HOLE HAD MELTED IN THE ALUMINUM CYLINDER HEAD.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:45 EDT
Nearest AirportGreen Lake (1nm WSW)
Runway23
Runway Length2800 ft
Runway Width170 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftFletcher SONERAI-2L
Tail NumberN76DJ
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRevmaster · 2100D · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 61 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 8 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 30 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time13:48
Weather SourceWFAC