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
February 8, 1986 · Piper PA-32-260 · N9477C
Lynchburg, VA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 8, 1986
Injury Outcomes
5 injuries (3 fatalities, 2 serious injuries)
Location
Lynchburg, VA
Aircraft
Piper PA-32-260
Tail Number
N9477C
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
BFO86FA015
THE AIRCRAFT HAD DEPARTED ELBERTON, GEORGIA AT ABOUT 2043 HOURS ON AN IFR FLIGHT PLAN TO LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA. AFTER FAILING TO DESCEND OUT OF 4000 FEET DURING THE FIRST APPROACH, N9477C WAS VECTORED AROUND FOR A SECOND ILS APPROACH TO RUNWAY 3. SINCE THE TOWER CONTROLLER HAD GONE OFF DUTY THE SEQUENCE FLASHING LIGHTS FOR THAT RUNWAY WERE ACTIVATED BY THE PILOT. WEATHER RECORDING INSTRUMENTS ON THE FIELD INDICATED THAT THEY HAD BEEN ACTIVATED DURING THE FIRST APPROACH BUT HAD GONE OUT 8 MINUTES BEFORE THE ACCIDENT DURING THE TIME THE AIRCRAFT WAS BEING VECTORED BACK TO THE ILS LOCALIZER. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED TREES AND THE GROUND JUST SHORT OF AND TO THE LEFT OF THE APPROACH END OF RUNWAY 3.
Full Narrative
THE AIRCRAFT HAD DEPARTED ELBERTON, GEORGIA AT ABOUT 2043 HOURS ON AN IFR FLIGHT PLAN TO LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA. AFTER FAILING TO DESCEND OUT OF 4000 FEET DURING THE FIRST APPROACH, N9477C WAS VECTORED AROUND FOR A SECOND ILS APPROACH TO RUNWAY 3. SINCE THE TOWER CONTROLLER HAD GONE OFF DUTY THE SEQUENCE FLASHING LIGHTS FOR THAT RUNWAY WERE ACTIVATED BY THE PILOT. WEATHER RECORDING INSTRUMENTS ON THE FIELD INDICATED THAT THEY HAD BEEN ACTIVATED DURING THE FIRST APPROACH BUT HAD GONE OUT 8 MINUTES BEFORE THE ACCIDENT DURING THE TIME THE AIRCRAFT WAS BEING VECTORED BACK TO THE ILS LOCALIZER. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED TREES AND THE GROUND JUST SHORT OF AND TO THE LEFT OF THE APPROACH END OF RUNWAY 3.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time23:17 EST
Nearest AirportLynchburg Municipal (1nm SW)
Runway3
Runway Length5799 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-32-260
Tail NumberN9477C
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-E4B5 · Reciprocating · 260
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary5 injuries (3 fatalities, 2 serious injuries)
Fatal3
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total5
Crew 1Age 33 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind244° @ 5 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point36 C / 36 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time04:12
Weather SourceWFAC