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 18, 1987 · Cessna 172N · N738JV
Malibu, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 18, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Malibu, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 172N
Tail Number
N738JV
Operator
American Flyers
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX87LA238
DURING A LOCAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT, THE PILOT STATED THAT THEY WERE FLYING ALONG THE COAST APRX 1 MILE OFFSHORE AND 500 FT AGL. THE STUDENT STARTED A CLIMBING RIGHT TURN TOWARDS LAND. THE STUDENT CONTINUED TO APPLY BACK PRESSURE TO THE POINT THAT THE ACFT STALLED. THE INSTRUCTOR TOOK OVER AND RECOVERED FROM THE STALL WITH RISING TERRAIN DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE ACFT. THE PLT FELT THAT THE ACFT WAS CAUGHT IN A DOWNDRAFT THAT THE WERE UNABLE TO CLIMB OUT OF BEFORE COLLIDING WITH THE TERRAIN. WITNESSES STATED THAT THEY HAD OBSERVED THE ACFT FLYING ERRATICALLY ALONG AND OVER THE POPULATED BEACH AREA AT ALTITUDES VARYING FROM 10 TO 50 FT AGL. WHEN THE ACFT TURNED RIGHT TOWARDS THE MOUNTAINS THE ACFT CLEARED AN APARTMENT COMPLEX BY 10 FT AND EVENTUALLY COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS REPORTED.
Full Narrative
DURING A LOCAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT, THE PILOT STATED THAT THEY WERE FLYING ALONG THE COAST APRX 1 MILE OFFSHORE AND 500 FT AGL. THE STUDENT STARTED A CLIMBING RIGHT TURN TOWARDS LAND. THE STUDENT CONTINUED TO APPLY BACK PRESSURE TO THE POINT THAT THE ACFT STALLED. THE INSTRUCTOR TOOK OVER AND RECOVERED FROM THE STALL WITH RISING TERRAIN DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE ACFT. THE PLT FELT THAT THE ACFT WAS CAUGHT IN A DOWNDRAFT THAT THE WERE UNABLE TO CLIMB OUT OF BEFORE COLLIDING WITH THE TERRAIN. WITNESSES STATED THAT THEY HAD OBSERVED THE ACFT FLYING ERRATICALLY ALONG AND OVER THE POPULATED BEACH AREA AT ALTITUDES VARYING FROM 10 TO 50 FT AGL. WHEN THE ACFT TURNED RIGHT TOWARDS THE MOUNTAINS THE ACFT CLEARED AN APARTMENT COMPLEX BY 10 FT AND EVENTUALLY COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS REPORTED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:05 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172N
Tail NumberN738JV
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAmerican Flyers
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 H2AD · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 23 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 10 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 59
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:46
Weather SourceWFAC