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
March 13, 1987 · Stinson 108-1 · N8185K
Saugus, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 13, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Saugus, CA
Aircraft
Stinson 108-1
Tail Number
N8185K
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX87LA143
UPON CONTACTING ATC, THE PLT REQUESTED AN ILS APCH AND THAT HE WAS LOW ON FUEL. THE CONTROLLER CLEARED THE PLT TO THE ILS. JUST INSIDE THE OUTER MARKER THE CONTROLLER ADVISED THE PLT THAT HE WAS DANGEROUSLY LOW AND TO CLIMB IMMEDIATELY. THE PLT WAS OBSERVED TO MAKE A NORTHERLY TURN. THE CONTROLLER ASKED THE PLT HIS INTENTIONS AND THE PLT REPLIED HE WANTED AN ILS TO THE ARPT. THE CONTROLLER GAVE THE PLT VECTORS BACK TO THE ILS WHEN THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS DESCENDING THROUGH A HOLE IN VMC. RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST AND THE CONTROLLER HAD TO USE ANOTHER ACFT TO RELAY MESSAGES TO THE PLT. THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS LOW ON FUEL. THE CONTROLLER ADVISED THE PLT TO SQUAWK 7700 AND THAT IF HE COULD NOT MAKE IT TO ANOTHER ARPT HE SHOULD FIND A FLAT SPOT AND LAND. THE PLT FOUND A DRY WASH AND LANDED. WHILE TAXIING TO HIGHER GROUND, THE RIGHT WING STRUCK A FENCE.
Full Narrative
UPON CONTACTING ATC, THE PLT REQUESTED AN ILS APCH AND THAT HE WAS LOW ON FUEL. THE CONTROLLER CLEARED THE PLT TO THE ILS. JUST INSIDE THE OUTER MARKER THE CONTROLLER ADVISED THE PLT THAT HE WAS DANGEROUSLY LOW AND TO CLIMB IMMEDIATELY. THE PLT WAS OBSERVED TO MAKE A NORTHERLY TURN. THE CONTROLLER ASKED THE PLT HIS INTENTIONS AND THE PLT REPLIED HE WANTED AN ILS TO THE ARPT. THE CONTROLLER GAVE THE PLT VECTORS BACK TO THE ILS WHEN THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS DESCENDING THROUGH A HOLE IN VMC. RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST AND THE CONTROLLER HAD TO USE ANOTHER ACFT TO RELAY MESSAGES TO THE PLT. THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS LOW ON FUEL. THE CONTROLLER ADVISED THE PLT TO SQUAWK 7700 AND THAT IF HE COULD NOT MAKE IT TO ANOTHER ARPT HE SHOULD FIND A FLAT SPOT AND LAND. THE PLT FOUND A DRY WASH AND LANDED. WHILE TAXIING TO HIGHER GROUND, THE RIGHT WING STRUCK A FENCE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:25 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftStinson 108-1
Tail NumberN8185K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsFranklin · 6A4-165 · Reciprocating · 165
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 60 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
WindCalm
Visibility7 sm
CeilingOvercast 1400 ft
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 52
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time03:46
Weather SourceWFAC