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
December 5, 1989 · Piper PA-34 · N8426B
Tomball, TX
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 5, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Tomball, TX
Aircraft
Piper PA-34
Tail Number
N8426B
Operator
John H Ray Jr
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW90LA042
THIS WAS A COMBINATION PERSONAL, BUSINESS & INSTRUCTIONAL FLT. THE INSTRUCTOR PLT (CFI) WAS IN THE RGT FRONT SEAT & THE OTHER PLT (WITH SINGLE/MULTI-ENG, COMMERCIAL RATINGS) WAS IN THE LEFT FRONT SEAT. ACCORDING TO ONE OF THE PLTS, THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED AS THE ACFT WAS ON THE TAKEOFF ROLL. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT IMPACTED A RWY LIGHT & A TAXIWAY INDICATOR, CROSSED A TAXIWAY & HIT A DITCH. WHEN THE TAXIWAY INDICATOR LIGHT STRUCTURE WAS HIT, THE LEFT WING WAS DAMAGED & IT ERUPTED WITH FIRE. NO REASON WAS FOUND FOR THE NOSE GEAR TO RETRACT OR COLLAPSE.
NTSB Probable Cause
COLLAPSE OF THE NOSE GEAR FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON.
Full Narrative
THIS WAS A COMBINATION PERSONAL, BUSINESS & INSTRUCTIONAL FLT. THE INSTRUCTOR PLT (CFI) WAS IN THE RGT FRONT SEAT & THE OTHER PLT (WITH SINGLE/MULTI-ENG, COMMERCIAL RATINGS) WAS IN THE LEFT FRONT SEAT. ACCORDING TO ONE OF THE PLTS, THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED AS THE ACFT WAS ON THE TAKEOFF ROLL. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT IMPACTED A RWY LIGHT & A TAXIWAY INDICATOR, CROSSED A TAXIWAY & HIT A DITCH. WHEN THE TAXIWAY INDICATOR LIGHT STRUCTURE WAS HIT, THE LEFT WING WAS DAMAGED & IT ERUPTED WITH FIRE. NO REASON WAS FOUND FOR THE NOSE GEAR TO RETRACT OR COLLAPSE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:30 CST
Nearest AirportDavid Wayne Hooks (0nm N)
Runway17
Runway Length7000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-34
Tail NumberN8426B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJohn H Ray Jr
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · L/TSIO-360 · Reciprocating · 220
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 35 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind220° @ 6 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 55
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO