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
October 14, 1987 · Piper PA-28R-180 · N4639J
Lexington, KY
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 14, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Lexington, KY
Aircraft
Piper PA-28R-180
Tail Number
N4639J
Operator
Aero Tech
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL88LA019
DURING A DUAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT THE STUDENT LEVELED THE ACFT ABV THE RWY DURING THE LANDING FLARE. THE CFI TOLD THE FAA INSPECTOR THAT HE WAS VERBALLY COACHING THE STUDENT AND DID NOT ASSUME THE FLT CONTROLS. THE ACFT LANDED HARD AND THE STUDENT APPLIED BRAKES WHICH RESULTED IN THE NOSE WHEEL TOUCHING DOWN HARD. PWR WAS APPLIED FOR A GO-AROUND AND A LOUD POP WAS HEARD. AFTER BECOMING AIRBORNE, THE CFI NOTED A TEAR IN THE RIGHT WING AND THE ACFT WAS FLOWN BACK TO HOME BASE. EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED THE FALSE SPAR HAD COLLAPSED.
Full Narrative
DURING A DUAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT THE STUDENT LEVELED THE ACFT ABV THE RWY DURING THE LANDING FLARE. THE CFI TOLD THE FAA INSPECTOR THAT HE WAS VERBALLY COACHING THE STUDENT AND DID NOT ASSUME THE FLT CONTROLS. THE ACFT LANDED HARD AND THE STUDENT APPLIED BRAKES WHICH RESULTED IN THE NOSE WHEEL TOUCHING DOWN HARD. PWR WAS APPLIED FOR A GO-AROUND AND A LOUD POP WAS HEARD. AFTER BECOMING AIRBORNE, THE CFI NOTED A TEAR IN THE RIGHT WING AND THE ACFT WAS FLOWN BACK TO HOME BASE. EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED THE FALSE SPAR HAD COLLAPSED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:10 EDT
Nearest AirportCapital City (0nm N)
Runway24
Runway Length5005 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28R-180
Tail NumberN4639J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAero Tech
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-81E · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 34 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:53
Weather SourceWFAC