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 31, 1987 · Cessna 152 · N48864

Opa Locka, FL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 31, 1987
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality), 2 uninjured
Location
Opa Locka, FL
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N48864
Operator
Kimura International
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA87FA236

A STUDENT PLT & INSTRUCTOR (CFI) IN CESSNA 152, N48864, TOOK OFF & ENTERED RGT TRAFFIC TO PRACTICE LNDGS ON RWY 9R. SOONTHEREAFTER, A HELICOPTER PLT (H/P) IN A BELL 47G-2, N6728D, TOOK OFF & ENTERED RGT TRAFFIC TO PRACTICE LNDGS IN A DESIG-NATED HELICOPTER AREA (AREA-A) BESIDE RWY 9R. THE TRAFFIC PATTERN FOR AREA-A WAS INSIDE & BLO THE PATTERN FOR RWY 9R. AT0816, WHEN THE H/P WAS CLRD FOR TKOF, THE LCL CTLR (LC) ADZD HIM OF THE CESSNA MAKING TOUCH-&-GO LNDGS ON RWY 9R. ABT 1 MIN LTR, THE LC ADZD THE CESSNA PLTS OF THE HELICOPTER OPERATING IN AREA-A, BUT MADE NO FURTHER TRAFFIC ADZYS TO EITHER ACFT. AS THE CESSNA WAS ON ITS 4TH APCH, THE CFI SIMULATED AN EMERGENCY BY REDUCING THE PWR TO IDLE. AT THAT TIME, THE H/P WAS ON HIS 2ND APCH. AS THE CFI & STUDENT CONTD ON A BASS-TO-FINAL TURN, THE CESSNA CONVERGED WITH THE HELICOPTER FROM THE REAR. AT APRX 0824, THE 2 ACFT COLLIDED, SEVERING THE CESSNA'S NOSE GEAR & DAMAGING ITS PROP & RGT MAIN GEAR. THE HELICOPTER ENTERED AN UNCTLD DSCNT & CRASHED. THE CFI TOOK CTL OF THE CESSNA & LNDD ON RWY 9R.

Full Narrative

A STUDENT PLT & INSTRUCTOR (CFI) IN CESSNA 152, N48864, TOOK OFF & ENTERED RGT TRAFFIC TO PRACTICE LNDGS ON RWY 9R. SOONTHEREAFTER, A HELICOPTER PLT (H/P) IN A BELL 47G-2, N6728D, TOOK OFF & ENTERED RGT TRAFFIC TO PRACTICE LNDGS IN A DESIG-NATED HELICOPTER AREA (AREA-A) BESIDE RWY 9R. THE TRAFFIC PATTERN FOR AREA-A WAS INSIDE & BLO THE PATTERN FOR RWY 9R. AT0816, WHEN THE H/P WAS CLRD FOR TKOF, THE LCL CTLR (LC) ADZD HIM OF THE CESSNA MAKING TOUCH-&-GO LNDGS ON RWY 9R. ABT 1 MIN LTR, THE LC ADZD THE CESSNA PLTS OF THE HELICOPTER OPERATING IN AREA-A, BUT MADE NO FURTHER TRAFFIC ADZYS TO EITHER ACFT. AS THE CESSNA WAS ON ITS 4TH APCH, THE CFI SIMULATED AN EMERGENCY BY REDUCING THE PWR TO IDLE. AT THAT TIME, THE H/P WAS ON HIS 2ND APCH. AS THE CFI & STUDENT CONTD ON A BASS-TO-FINAL TURN, THE CESSNA CONVERGED WITH THE HELICOPTER FROM THE REAR. AT APRX 0824, THE 2 ACFT COLLIDED, SEVERING THE CESSNA'S NOSE GEAR & DAMAGING ITS PROP & RGT MAIN GEAR. THE HELICOPTER ENTERED AN UNCTLD DSCNT & CRASHED. THE CFI TOOK CTL OF THE CESSNA & LNDD ON RWY 9R.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:24 EDT
Nearest AirportOPALOCKA (1nm SW)
Runway9R
Runway Length3503 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN48864
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorKimura International
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 110 | Lycoming · VO-435 · Reciprocating · 200
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality), 2 uninjured
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total3
Crew 1Age 28 · Second Class
Crew 2Age 27 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind100° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time12:25
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data