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 13, 1989 · Air Tractor AT-301 · N8578S
Mendota, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 13, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Mendota, CA
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT-301
Tail Number
N8578S
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX89DVA10
REPORTEDLY, THE AIRCRAFT SETTLED DOWNWARD AS IT WAS SLOWED TO BEGIN A SPRAY RUN. THE PILOT ADDED FULL THROTTLE AND JETTISONED THE HOPPER CONTENTS BEFORE THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND. INSPECTION OF THE STALL WARNING SYSTEM REVEALED THE STALL WARNING WAS NOT CONNECTED. THE ENGINE HAD BEEN OPERATING WITH AUTOMOTIVE FUEL. THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS FOUND WITH THE AIRCRAFT OR ENGINE PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT SEQUENCE.
NTSB Probable Cause
A LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL BY THE PILOT WHEN HE SLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO BEGIN A SPRAY RUN. CONTRIBUTING TO THE LOSS OF CONTROL WAS THE INOPERATIVE STALL WARNING SYSTEM.
Full Narrative
REPORTEDLY, THE AIRCRAFT SETTLED DOWNWARD AS IT WAS SLOWED TO BEGIN A SPRAY RUN. THE PILOT ADDED FULL THROTTLE AND JETTISONED THE HOPPER CONTENTS BEFORE THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND. INSPECTION OF THE STALL WARNING SYSTEM REVEALED THE STALL WARNING WAS NOT CONNECTED. THE ENGINE HAD BEEN OPERATING WITH AUTOMOTIVE FUEL. THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS FOUND WITH THE AIRCRAFT OR ENGINE PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT SEQUENCE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:50 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftAir Tractor AT-301
Tail NumberN8578S
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R-1340-AN1 · Reciprocating · 600
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 34 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200°
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO