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

December 19, 1987 · Cessna 208 · N9438F

Bethel, AK

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 19, 1987
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 8 uninjured
Location
Bethel, AK
Aircraft
Cessna 208
Tail Number
N9438F
Operator
Hermens Air
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC88FA022

THE PLT HAD PLANNED TO BACK TAXI FOR TAKEOFF ON RWY 36. THE TOWER CONTROLLER ASKED IF A RWY 18 DEPARTURE WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE TO ACCOMMODATE AN ARRIVING ACFT & THE PLT ACCEPTED A CLNC. HE STARTED HIS TAKEOFF WITH 3900' REMAINING ON THE 6399' RWY. AFTER INITIAL LIFT-OFF, THE ACFT WOULD NOT SUSTAIN FLT. THE PLT 'INTENTIONALLY LANDED' BEYOND THE END OF THE RWY ON SNOW COVERED TERRAIN. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED & THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THERE WAS A SLIGHT TAIL WIND & THE ACFT WAS APRX 1200 TO 1400 LBS OVER ITS MAX WT LIMIT. ALSO, THE LEADING EDGES OF THE WINGS HAD SOME RESIDUAL IN-FLT ICE THAT THE DE-ICE BOOTS HAD NOT CLEARED FROM THE PREVIOUS DAY'S FLT.

Full Narrative

THE PLT HAD PLANNED TO BACK TAXI FOR TAKEOFF ON RWY 36. THE TOWER CONTROLLER ASKED IF A RWY 18 DEPARTURE WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE TO ACCOMMODATE AN ARRIVING ACFT & THE PLT ACCEPTED A CLNC. HE STARTED HIS TAKEOFF WITH 3900' REMAINING ON THE 6399' RWY. AFTER INITIAL LIFT-OFF, THE ACFT WOULD NOT SUSTAIN FLT. THE PLT 'INTENTIONALLY LANDED' BEYOND THE END OF THE RWY ON SNOW COVERED TERRAIN. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED & THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THERE WAS A SLIGHT TAIL WIND & THE ACFT WAS APRX 1200 TO 1400 LBS OVER ITS MAX WT LIMIT. ALSO, THE LEADING EDGES OF THE WINGS HAD SOME RESIDUAL IN-FLT ICE THAT THE DE-ICE BOOTS HAD NOT CLEARED FROM THE PREVIOUS DAY'S FLT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:55 AKST
Nearest AirportBETHEL (0nm N)
Runway18
Runway Length6399 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 208
Tail NumberN9438F
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHermens Air
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W · PT6A-114 · Turboprop · 600
Seats10

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 8 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured8
Total10
Crew 1Age 24 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind20° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 20000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point18 C / 16 C
Altimeter28.00 inHg
Observation Time14:16
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data