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 12, 1987 · Piper PA-28-140 · N4477X
Storm Lake, IA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 12, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Storm Lake, IA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N4477X
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MKC88LA004
WHILE PRACTICING AN APPROACH TO LNDG STALL, THE STU PLT STATED THAT THE ENG FAILED TO RESPOND TO THROTTLE ADVANCEMENT. AFTER UNSUCCESSFULLY ATTEMPTING EMERGENCY PROCS TO INCLUDE CARB HEAT, FUEL PUMP, AND SWITCHING FUEL TANKS, HE SELECTED A FLD. PRIOR TO T/D, THE ENG REGAINED PWR AND THE LNDG WAS ABORTED. DURING CLIMBOUT, THE RT GEAR TORE OFF AFTER COLLISION WITH A FENCE. THE LNDG GEAR STRUCK AND DMGD THE HORIZONTAL STABILATOR. THE STU PLT RETURNED TO THE ARPT AND WAS ADVISED, BY RADIO, OF THE MISSING GEAR. HE THEN CIRCLED UNTIL THE LOCAL FIRE DEPT ARRIVED AND THEN ATMPTED A LNDG. THE ACFT NOSED DOWN DURING LNDG AND TORE OFF THE NOSE GEAR AND DAMAGED THE RT WING. THE STU PLT STATED THE DAMAGE MIGHT HAVE BEEN LESS IF HE HAD CONTINUED WITH HIS INITIAL EMERGENCY LNDG IN THE FLD.
Full Narrative
WHILE PRACTICING AN APPROACH TO LNDG STALL, THE STU PLT STATED THAT THE ENG FAILED TO RESPOND TO THROTTLE ADVANCEMENT. AFTER UNSUCCESSFULLY ATTEMPTING EMERGENCY PROCS TO INCLUDE CARB HEAT, FUEL PUMP, AND SWITCHING FUEL TANKS, HE SELECTED A FLD. PRIOR TO T/D, THE ENG REGAINED PWR AND THE LNDG WAS ABORTED. DURING CLIMBOUT, THE RT GEAR TORE OFF AFTER COLLISION WITH A FENCE. THE LNDG GEAR STRUCK AND DMGD THE HORIZONTAL STABILATOR. THE STU PLT RETURNED TO THE ARPT AND WAS ADVISED, BY RADIO, OF THE MISSING GEAR. HE THEN CIRCLED UNTIL THE LOCAL FIRE DEPT ARRIVED AND THEN ATMPTED A LNDG. THE ACFT NOSED DOWN DURING LNDG AND TORE OFF THE NOSE GEAR AND DAMAGED THE RT WING. THE STU PLT STATED THE DAMAGE MIGHT HAVE BEEN LESS IF HE HAD CONTINUED WITH HIS INITIAL EMERGENCY LNDG IN THE FLD.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:00 CDT
Nearest AirportStorm Lake (0nm N)
Runway31
Runway Length3000 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN4477X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E3D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 16 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 5 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO