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
August 4, 1987 · Piper PA-34-200T · N477BL
El Monte, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 4, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
El Monte, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-34-200T
Tail Number
N477BL
Operator
California Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX87LA292
AN INSTRUCTOR (CFI) WAS GIVING AN AIRLINE TRANSPORT PLT (ATP) A CHECK-OUT IN THE PA-34. THE ATP CHECKED THE FUEL QUANTITY & QUESTIONED THE CFI ABOUT THE LVL IN THE LEFT TANK. THE CFI ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS NOT FULL. THE ATP STATED THE FUEL GAUGES INDCD 30 GAL IN THE LEFT TANK & 25 GAL IN THE RGT TANK. DRG THE FLT, THE CFI SHUT DOWN THE LEFT ENG BY PSNG THE LEFT FUEL SELECTOR TO OFF & MOVING THE RGT FUEL SELECTOR TO THE X-FEED PSN. AS THE FLT CONTD (ON A VOR APCH), THE RGT ENG LOST PWR. BOTH FUEL SELECTORS WERE PSND TO ON, BUT NEITHER ENG RESTARTED. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT LANDED ABOUT 1/2 MI SHORT OF THE RWY, HIT A FENCE & WAS DAMAGED. AN EXAM REVEALED THERE WAS ABOUT 1.5 GAL OF FUEL REMAINING IN THE LEFT TANK & APRX 42 GAL IN THE RGT TANK. FAA PSNL RPRTD THE PLT LACKED KNOWLEDGE OF EMERG PROCEDURES CONTAINED IN THE PLT OPERG HANDBOOK.
Full Narrative
AN INSTRUCTOR (CFI) WAS GIVING AN AIRLINE TRANSPORT PLT (ATP) A CHECK-OUT IN THE PA-34. THE ATP CHECKED THE FUEL QUANTITY & QUESTIONED THE CFI ABOUT THE LVL IN THE LEFT TANK. THE CFI ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS NOT FULL. THE ATP STATED THE FUEL GAUGES INDCD 30 GAL IN THE LEFT TANK & 25 GAL IN THE RGT TANK. DRG THE FLT, THE CFI SHUT DOWN THE LEFT ENG BY PSNG THE LEFT FUEL SELECTOR TO OFF & MOVING THE RGT FUEL SELECTOR TO THE X-FEED PSN. AS THE FLT CONTD (ON A VOR APCH), THE RGT ENG LOST PWR. BOTH FUEL SELECTORS WERE PSND TO ON, BUT NEITHER ENG RESTARTED. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT LANDED ABOUT 1/2 MI SHORT OF THE RWY, HIT A FENCE & WAS DAMAGED. AN EXAM REVEALED THERE WAS ABOUT 1.5 GAL OF FUEL REMAINING IN THE LEFT TANK & APRX 42 GAL IN THE RGT TANK. FAA PSNL RPRTD THE PLT LACKED KNOWLEDGE OF EMERG PROCEDURES CONTAINED IN THE PLT OPERG HANDBOOK.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:33 PDT
Nearest AirportELMONTE (0nm N)
Runway19
Runway Length3995 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-34-200T
Tail NumberN477BL
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCalifornia Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-360-E · Reciprocating · 200
Seats7
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 23 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 5 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time17:33
Weather SourceWFAC