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
June 15, 1987 · Cessna 152 · N115RJ
Long Beach, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 15, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Long Beach, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N115RJ
Operator
Ray-Jean Bull Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX87LA235
THE AIRCRAFT DITCHED IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN WHILE ON A VFR INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT. BOTH PILOTS INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE STOPPED ABRUPTLY AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO RESTART IT. THE PROPELLER WOULD NOT TURN WHEN THE STARTER WAS ENGAGED, NOR WOULD IT WINDMILL. THE CFI DITCHED THE AIRPLANE AND THEN ASSISTED THE STUDENT PILOT OUT OF THE AIRCRAFT THROUGH HIS EXIT. THE STUDENT PILOT HAD INDICATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO OPEN HER DOOR OR UNFASTEN HER SEAT BELT ALTHOUGH SHE SUSTAINED NO INJURY. THE CFI AND THE STUDENT PILOT THEN TREADED WATER FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES BEFORE THEY WERE RESCUED BY A BOAT. BOTH PILOTS REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO FLOATATION DEVICES ABOARD THE AIRCRAFT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS UNABLE TO BE LOCATED AFTER IT SANK AND THEREFORE WAS NOT RECOVERED.
Full Narrative
THE AIRCRAFT DITCHED IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN WHILE ON A VFR INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT. BOTH PILOTS INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE STOPPED ABRUPTLY AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO RESTART IT. THE PROPELLER WOULD NOT TURN WHEN THE STARTER WAS ENGAGED, NOR WOULD IT WINDMILL. THE CFI DITCHED THE AIRPLANE AND THEN ASSISTED THE STUDENT PILOT OUT OF THE AIRCRAFT THROUGH HIS EXIT. THE STUDENT PILOT HAD INDICATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO OPEN HER DOOR OR UNFASTEN HER SEAT BELT ALTHOUGH SHE SUSTAINED NO INJURY. THE CFI AND THE STUDENT PILOT THEN TREADED WATER FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES BEFORE THEY WERE RESCUED BY A BOAT. BOTH PILOTS REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO FLOATATION DEVICES ABOARD THE AIRCRAFT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS UNABLE TO BE LOCATED AFTER IT SANK AND THEREFORE WAS NOT RECOVERED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:45 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN115RJ
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorRay-Jean Bull Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 110
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 26 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 9 kt
Visibility26 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52
Altimeter0
Observation Time19:00
Weather SourceWFAC