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 5, 1989 · Cessna P206 · N2566X
Thelma, TX
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 5, 1989
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Thelma, TX
Aircraft
Cessna P206
Tail Number
N2566X
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW90LA023
ABOUT 10 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PLT SWITCHED FROM THE RIGHT TO THE LEFT FUEL TANK AND THE ENGINE QUIT. HIS RESTART ATTEMPTS WERE UNSUCCESFFUL AND HE SET UP A FORCED LANDING APPROACH TO AN OPEN FIELD. ON FINAL, THE ACFT STRUCK POWER LINES AND SUBSEQUENTLY IMPACTED THE GROUND. INVESTIGATION REVEALED LARGE QUANTITIES OF WATER THROUGHOUT THE FUEL SYSTEM AND ENGINE. THE FUEL CAPS WERE OF THE PROPER KIND AND IN GOOD CONDITION. THE PLT STATED THAT THE ACFT HAD BEEN TOPPED OFF 6 DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT AND THAT HE SUMPED THE TANKS PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ACFT HAD FLOWN AT LEAST ONCE AFTER THE LAST REFUELING. THE ACFT HAD BEEN TIED DOWN OUTSIDE AT AN AIRPORT THAT HAD RECEIVED 5 INCHES OF RAIN DURING THE WEEK PRECEDING THE ACCIDENT.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO DRAIN ALL THE WATER FROM THE FUEL SYSTEM DURING PREFLIGHT.
Full Narrative
ABOUT 10 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PLT SWITCHED FROM THE RIGHT TO THE LEFT FUEL TANK AND THE ENGINE QUIT. HIS RESTART ATTEMPTS WERE UNSUCCESFFUL AND HE SET UP A FORCED LANDING APPROACH TO AN OPEN FIELD. ON FINAL, THE ACFT STRUCK POWER LINES AND SUBSEQUENTLY IMPACTED THE GROUND. INVESTIGATION REVEALED LARGE QUANTITIES OF WATER THROUGHOUT THE FUEL SYSTEM AND ENGINE. THE FUEL CAPS WERE OF THE PROPER KIND AND IN GOOD CONDITION. THE PLT STATED THAT THE ACFT HAD BEEN TOPPED OFF 6 DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT AND THAT HE SUMPED THE TANKS PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ACFT HAD FLOWN AT LEAST ONCE AFTER THE LAST REFUELING. THE ACFT HAD BEEN TIED DOWN OUTSIDE AT AN AIRPORT THAT HAD RECEIVED 5 INCHES OF RAIN DURING THE WEEK PRECEDING THE ACCIDENT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:10 CST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna P206
Tail NumberN2566X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-A · Reciprocating · 285
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 66 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 12 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 8000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time17:47
Weather SourceWFAC