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
February 2, 1987 · Cessna 170B · N3441C
Plaster City, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 2, 1987
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Plaster City, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 170B
Tail Number
N3441C
Operator
Lowell R Schoonmaker
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX87LA106
DURING A LOCAL BUSINESS FLIGHT THE PILOT WAS FLYING LOW, APPROXIMATELY 50 FT AGL, AND SLOW WITH 30 DEGREES OF FLAPS EXTENDED TO TAKE AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS OF A MOTORCYCLIST ON THE GROUND. UPON COMPLETING A 360 DEGREE TURN TO THE LEFT, THE AIRCRAFT FLEW THROUGH ITS OWN WAKE, STALLED AND BEGAN LOSING ALTITUDE. THE PILOT ADDED POWER AND RETRACTED THE FLAPS. THE AIRCRAFT THEN COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN AND NOSED OVER.
Full Narrative
DURING A LOCAL BUSINESS FLIGHT THE PILOT WAS FLYING LOW, APPROXIMATELY 50 FT AGL, AND SLOW WITH 30 DEGREES OF FLAPS EXTENDED TO TAKE AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS OF A MOTORCYCLIST ON THE GROUND. UPON COMPLETING A 360 DEGREE TURN TO THE LEFT, THE AIRCRAFT FLEW THROUGH ITS OWN WAKE, STALLED AND BEGAN LOSING ALTITUDE. THE PILOT ADDED POWER AND RETRACTED THE FLAPS. THE AIRCRAFT THEN COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN AND NOSED OVER.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:00 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 170B
Tail NumberN3441C
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorLowell R Schoonmaker
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsFranklin · 6A35OC2 · Reciprocating · 215
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 53 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingOvercast 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 39 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time19:00
Weather SourceWFAC