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
October 5, 1989 · Cessna 188B · N21897
Hartsville, SC
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 5, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Hartsville, SC
Aircraft
Cessna 188B
Tail Number
N21897
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL90DLG01
AFTER COMPLETION OF AERIAL APPLICATION TO A COTTON FIELD, THE PILOT MADE A LEFT CLIMBING TURN TO A SOUTHERLY COURSE. THE AIRPLANE WAS THEN CLIMBED TO ABOUT 400 FEET. AT A POSITION ABEAM OF THE APPROACH END OF THE FIELD WHICH HAD BEEN SPRAYED, ABOUT 1/4 MILE WEST OF THE FIELD, THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A SUPPORT GUY WIRE FOR A TELEVISION BROADCAST ANTENNA. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED MARKINGS ON THE PROPELLER & LEFT WING WHICH WERE INDICATIVE OF A COLLISION WITH A CABLE.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE IN-FLIGHT CLEARANCE FROM OBSTACLES.
Full Narrative
AFTER COMPLETION OF AERIAL APPLICATION TO A COTTON FIELD, THE PILOT MADE A LEFT CLIMBING TURN TO A SOUTHERLY COURSE. THE AIRPLANE WAS THEN CLIMBED TO ABOUT 400 FEET. AT A POSITION ABEAM OF THE APPROACH END OF THE FIELD WHICH HAD BEEN SPRAYED, ABOUT 1/4 MILE WEST OF THE FIELD, THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A SUPPORT GUY WIRE FOR A TELEVISION BROADCAST ANTENNA. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED MARKINGS ON THE PROPELLER & LEFT WING WHICH WERE INDICATIVE OF A COLLISION WITH A CABLE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 188B
Tail NumberN21897
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-D · Reciprocating · 300
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 46 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT