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
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open 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…

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 manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

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

August 23, 1987 · Cessna A185F · N3463Y

Mt Airy, NC

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 23, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Mt Airy, NC
Aircraft
Cessna A185F
Tail Number
N3463Y
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL87LA236

AFTER CESSNA 185, N3462Y, ENTERED THE TRAFFIC PATTERN FOR RWY 18, THE UNICOM OPERATOR WARNED THE PLT OF ANOTHER ACFT IN THE PATTERN. THE OTHER ACFT WAS A MOONEY MITE, N4129. THE CESSNA PLT CONTD HIS APCH, BUT DIDN'T SEE THE MOONEY MITE UNTIL AFTER THE CESSNA TOUCHED DOWN. WHEN THE CESSNA PLT LOWERED HIS NOSE IN A WHEEL LNDG, HE SAW THE OTHER ACFT COMING FROM THE OPPOSITE DRCTN. THE MOONEY MITE PLT SAID HE WAS ON THE 1ST 1/3 OF RWY 36 WHEN HE SAW THE CESSNA ON THE 1ST 1/3 OF RWY 18. BOTH PLTS STEERED TO THE RIGHT. AS THE CESSNA WENT OFF THE RWY, THE PLT WAS APPLYING FULL BRAKES. HE SAID THE ACFT 'MIRED DOWN IN THE GRASS' & FLIPPED OVER. THE MOONEY MITE DID NOT HAVE AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (NO RADIO OR LGTS).THE SUN HAD JUST SET & THE RWY LGTS WERE ON. ACCORDING TO THE MOONEY MITE PLT, THERE WAS STILL 'GOOD LIGHT' & THE VISIBILITY WAS GOOD. THE CESSNA PLT RPRTD THE WIND WAS CALM.

Full Narrative

AFTER CESSNA 185, N3462Y, ENTERED THE TRAFFIC PATTERN FOR RWY 18, THE UNICOM OPERATOR WARNED THE PLT OF ANOTHER ACFT IN THE PATTERN. THE OTHER ACFT WAS A MOONEY MITE, N4129. THE CESSNA PLT CONTD HIS APCH, BUT DIDN'T SEE THE MOONEY MITE UNTIL AFTER THE CESSNA TOUCHED DOWN. WHEN THE CESSNA PLT LOWERED HIS NOSE IN A WHEEL LNDG, HE SAW THE OTHER ACFT COMING FROM THE OPPOSITE DRCTN. THE MOONEY MITE PLT SAID HE WAS ON THE 1ST 1/3 OF RWY 36 WHEN HE SAW THE CESSNA ON THE 1ST 1/3 OF RWY 18. BOTH PLTS STEERED TO THE RIGHT. AS THE CESSNA WENT OFF THE RWY, THE PLT WAS APPLYING FULL BRAKES. HE SAID THE ACFT 'MIRED DOWN IN THE GRASS' & FLIPPED OVER. THE MOONEY MITE DID NOT HAVE AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (NO RADIO OR LGTS).THE SUN HAD JUST SET & THE RWY LGTS WERE ON. ACCORDING TO THE MOONEY MITE PLT, THERE WAS STILL 'GOOD LIGHT' & THE VISIBILITY WAS GOOD. THE CESSNA PLT RPRTD THE WIND WAS CALM.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:20 EDT
Nearest AirportMount Airy-Surry County (0nm N)
Runway18
Runway Length3500 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna A185F
Tail NumberN3463Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-D · Reciprocating · 285
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 37 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind210° @ 8 kt, gusting 8 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time00:46
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data