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
December 6, 1987 · Cessna 180 · N46TD
Springfield, NE
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 6, 1987
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Springfield, NE
Aircraft
Cessna 180
Tail Number
N46TD
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MKC88FA023
ACCORDING TO WITNESSES ON THE GROUND, THE AIRCRAFT WAS FLYING LOW, UNDER THE OVERCAST, WHEN THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE GUY WIRES OF A TV TOWER AND THE PLANE CRASHED OUT OF CONTROL. IT WAS DESTROYED BY IMPACT FORCES AND A POST-CRASH FIRE. WEATHER STATIONS IN THE AREA WERE REPORTING LOW IFR CONDITIONS WITH SKIES OBSCURED AND A LIGHT DRIZZLE AND FOG. THERE IS NO RECORD OF THE INSTRUMENT-RATED PILOT HAVING REQUESTED AN IFR CLEARANCE. A COMPLETE TEARDOWN AND INSPECTION WAS CONDUCTED ON THE ACCIDENT ENGINE. NO EVIDENCE COULD BE FOUND TO SUGGEST A PREEXISTING DISCREPANCY THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED A POWERPLANT FAILURE.
Full Narrative
ACCORDING TO WITNESSES ON THE GROUND, THE AIRCRAFT WAS FLYING LOW, UNDER THE OVERCAST, WHEN THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE GUY WIRES OF A TV TOWER AND THE PLANE CRASHED OUT OF CONTROL. IT WAS DESTROYED BY IMPACT FORCES AND A POST-CRASH FIRE. WEATHER STATIONS IN THE AREA WERE REPORTING LOW IFR CONDITIONS WITH SKIES OBSCURED AND A LIGHT DRIZZLE AND FOG. THERE IS NO RECORD OF THE INSTRUMENT-RATED PILOT HAVING REQUESTED AN IFR CLEARANCE. A COMPLETE TEARDOWN AND INSPECTION WAS CONDUCTED ON THE ACCIDENT ENGINE. NO EVIDENCE COULD BE FOUND TO SUGGEST A PREEXISTING DISCREPANCY THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED A POWERPLANT FAILURE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:45 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 180
Tail NumberN46TD
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470-K · Reciprocating · 230
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 58 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind50° @ 4 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingOvercast 1000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point37 C / 36 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time18:55
Weather SourceWFAC