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
November 1, 1989 · Cessna 172RG · N4825V
Laramie, WY
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 1, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Laramie, WY
Aircraft
Cessna 172RG
Tail Number
N4825V
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN90FA017
THE PLT RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING FOR A VFR FLT. THE BRIEFING INDICATED IFR WEATHER ALONG THE INTENDED ROUTE OF FLIGHT. THE PLT STATED HE WAS CONDUCTING THE FLT VFR BECAUSE HE 'DID NOT TRUST HIS INSTRUMENTS.' APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR AFTER DEPARTURE FROM LARAMIE, WY, THE PLT REQUESTED THE LARAMIE WEATHER IN AN ATTEMPT TO RETURN. THE PLT RADIOED HE LOST HIS GYROS AND DECLARED AN EMERGENCY. THE FSS RECEIVED A SPECIAL VFR CLEARANCE DUE TO BELOW VFR MINIMUM WEATHER, BUT WAS UNABLE TO ISSUE IT DUE TO LOST RADIO COMMUNICATIONS. POST-ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE VACUUM PUMP HAD BEEN INSTALLED WITHOUT THE SHEAR SHAFT COUPLING. THE AIRFRAME AND ENGINE LOGBOOKS DID NOT IDENTIFY PREVIOUS WORK PERFORMED OR PERSON(S) WHO MAY HAVE WORKED ON THE PUMP.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS AFTER THE PILOT BECAME SPATIALLY DISORIENTED. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FAILURE OF THE VACUUM SYSTEM WHICH RENDERED THE VACUUM/GYRO INSTRUMENTS INOPERATIVE. ALSO CONTRIBUTING TO THIS FAILURE WAS THE IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE VACUUM PUMP BY UNKNOWN PERSON(S).
Full Narrative
THE PLT RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING FOR A VFR FLT. THE BRIEFING INDICATED IFR WEATHER ALONG THE INTENDED ROUTE OF FLIGHT. THE PLT STATED HE WAS CONDUCTING THE FLT VFR BECAUSE HE 'DID NOT TRUST HIS INSTRUMENTS.' APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR AFTER DEPARTURE FROM LARAMIE, WY, THE PLT REQUESTED THE LARAMIE WEATHER IN AN ATTEMPT TO RETURN. THE PLT RADIOED HE LOST HIS GYROS AND DECLARED AN EMERGENCY. THE FSS RECEIVED A SPECIAL VFR CLEARANCE DUE TO BELOW VFR MINIMUM WEATHER, BUT WAS UNABLE TO ISSUE IT DUE TO LOST RADIO COMMUNICATIONS. POST-ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE VACUUM PUMP HAD BEEN INSTALLED WITHOUT THE SHEAR SHAFT COUPLING. THE AIRFRAME AND ENGINE LOGBOOKS DID NOT IDENTIFY PREVIOUS WORK PERFORMED OR PERSON(S) WHO MAY HAVE WORKED ON THE PUMP.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:32 MST
Nearest AirportGeneral Brees Field (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172RG
Tail NumberN4825V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-F1A6 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 58 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDusk
Wind50° @ 10 kt
Ceiling200 ft
Temperature / Dew Point23 C / 21 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time00:50
Weather SourceWFAC