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
April 19, 1987 · Piper PA-32-300 · N15259
Lincoln, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 19, 1987
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Lincoln, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-32-300
Tail Number
N15259
Operator
Vukich Ronald R
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX87LA182
THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A DITCH AFTER A LOSS OF PWR DURING T/O CLIMB AT APRX 350 TO 400 FT AGL. THE PLT DESCRIBED THE LOSS OF PWR AS 'LIKE TAKING THE THROTTLE AND PULLING OFF IN A RAPID MOTION.' HE NOTICED DURING HIS PREFLT CHECK THAT THE FUEL IN THE RIGHT MAIN TANK (RMT) WAS LIGHTER BLUE IN COLOR THAN THAT OF THE LEFT MAIN TANK (LMT). HE TOOK 2 SAMPLES FROM THE RMT DURING THE PREFLT AND DURING THE ENG RUN-UP, RAN THE ENG 5 ADD MIN UNTIL ALL THE GAUGES WERE 'IN THE GREEN.' THE ACFT TOOK OFF WITH THE FUEL SELECTOR IN THE RMT POSITION. THE PLT ATTEMPTED A RESTART WHILE EXECUTING A 180 DEGREE TURN TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT. HE INDICATED THAT HE SWITCHED THE FUEL SELECTOR FROM THE RMT TO THE LMT AND CHECKED THAT THE FUEL BOOST PUMP WAS STILL ON. THE RMT WAS RUPTURED AS RESULT OF THE IMPACT AND ALL THE FUEL ESCAPED INTO THE DITCH. THE ENG WAS EXAMINED AND THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS OF MECHANICAL FAILURE.
Full Narrative
THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A DITCH AFTER A LOSS OF PWR DURING T/O CLIMB AT APRX 350 TO 400 FT AGL. THE PLT DESCRIBED THE LOSS OF PWR AS 'LIKE TAKING THE THROTTLE AND PULLING OFF IN A RAPID MOTION.' HE NOTICED DURING HIS PREFLT CHECK THAT THE FUEL IN THE RIGHT MAIN TANK (RMT) WAS LIGHTER BLUE IN COLOR THAN THAT OF THE LEFT MAIN TANK (LMT). HE TOOK 2 SAMPLES FROM THE RMT DURING THE PREFLT AND DURING THE ENG RUN-UP, RAN THE ENG 5 ADD MIN UNTIL ALL THE GAUGES WERE 'IN THE GREEN.' THE ACFT TOOK OFF WITH THE FUEL SELECTOR IN THE RMT POSITION. THE PLT ATTEMPTED A RESTART WHILE EXECUTING A 180 DEGREE TURN TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT. HE INDICATED THAT HE SWITCHED THE FUEL SELECTOR FROM THE RMT TO THE LMT AND CHECKED THAT THE FUEL BOOST PUMP WAS STILL ON. THE RMT WAS RUPTURED AS RESULT OF THE IMPACT AND ALL THE FUEL ESCAPED INTO THE DITCH. THE ENG WAS EXAMINED AND THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS OF MECHANICAL FAILURE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:40 PDT
Nearest AirportLincoln Muni. (0nm N)
Runway33
Runway Length6000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-32-300
Tail NumberN15259
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorVukich Ronald R
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TIO-540-K1A5 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 62 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind350° @ 9 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46 / 30 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time14:55
Weather SourceWFAC