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

February 9, 1986 · Cessna 210 · N4981U

Alma, GA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 9, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Alma, GA
Aircraft
Cessna 210
Tail Number
N4981U
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL86LA070

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE QUIT DURING HIS DESCENT FROM THE 2000 FOOT CRUISE ALTITUDE. THE AIRCRAFT EXAMINATION FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY SYSTEM MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. THE PILOT STATED THAT HIS PREFLIGHT INDICATED THAT THERE WAS ABOUT 1/2 AND 1/3 TANKS OF FUEL IN THE LEFT AND RIGHT CELLS RESPECTIVELY. AFTER DEPARTING ON THE LEFT TANK, THE PILOT DID NOT REPORT CHANGING THE FUEL SELECTOR. THE OPERATORS MANUAL INSTRUCTS THE PILOT TO PLACE THE SELECTOR IN BOTH POSITION WHEN DESCENDING WITH LESS THAN 1/4 TANK OF FUEL. THE EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT SHOWED THAT THERE WAS ABOUT 7 GALLONS OF FUEL IN THE RIGHT TANK AND THE LEFT TANK WAS EMPTY.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE QUIT DURING HIS DESCENT FROM THE 2000 FOOT CRUISE ALTITUDE. THE AIRCRAFT EXAMINATION FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY SYSTEM MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. THE PILOT STATED THAT HIS PREFLIGHT INDICATED THAT THERE WAS ABOUT 1/2 AND 1/3 TANKS OF FUEL IN THE LEFT AND RIGHT CELLS RESPECTIVELY. AFTER DEPARTING ON THE LEFT TANK, THE PILOT DID NOT REPORT CHANGING THE FUEL SELECTOR. THE OPERATORS MANUAL INSTRUCTS THE PILOT TO PLACE THE SELECTOR IN BOTH POSITION WHEN DESCENDING WITH LESS THAN 1/4 TANK OF FUEL. THE EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT SHOWED THAT THERE WAS ABOUT 7 GALLONS OF FUEL IN THE RIGHT TANK AND THE LEFT TANK WAS EMPTY.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:00 EST
Nearest AirportALMA (7nm NW)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 210
Tail NumberN4981U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520A · Reciprocating · 285
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 42 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDawn
WindCalm
Visibility6 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 800 ft
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 55
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time22:42
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data