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
March 31, 1986 · Piper PA-28RT-201T PA-28RT-20 · N8140Y
Fort Rucker, AL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 31, 1986
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Fort Rucker, AL
Aircraft
Piper PA-28RT-201T PA-28RT-20
Tail Number
N8140Y
Operator
The Plane Thing
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL86LA103
THE X-C FLT DEPARTED KILLEEN, TX, WITH AN INTERMEDIATE STOP AT ALEXANDRIA, LA. A PASSENGER WAS DISEMBARKED AT CAIRNS AAF AND DURING DEPARTURE FOR DOTHAN, THE AIRCRAFT'S ENGINE SPUTTERED AND LOST POWER. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TREES NEAR THE AIRPORT. PRIOR TO DEPARTURE ONE PILOT STATED THAT FUEL GAUGES INDICATED 3 GAL IN LEFT AND 8 GAL IN RIGHT. LESS THAN 1 GAL WAS DRAINED FROM THE LEFT TANK. THE TACHOMETER INDICATED TOTAL FLIGHT TIME OF 5.01 HOURS. THE ENGINE WAS TESTED AND RAN PROPERLY.
Full Narrative
THE X-C FLT DEPARTED KILLEEN, TX, WITH AN INTERMEDIATE STOP AT ALEXANDRIA, LA. A PASSENGER WAS DISEMBARKED AT CAIRNS AAF AND DURING DEPARTURE FOR DOTHAN, THE AIRCRAFT'S ENGINE SPUTTERED AND LOST POWER. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TREES NEAR THE AIRPORT. PRIOR TO DEPARTURE ONE PILOT STATED THAT FUEL GAUGES INDICATED 3 GAL IN LEFT AND 8 GAL IN RIGHT. LESS THAN 1 GAL WAS DRAINED FROM THE LEFT TANK. THE TACHOMETER INDICATED TOTAL FLIGHT TIME OF 5.01 HOURS. THE ENGINE WAS TESTED AND RAN PROPERLY.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:27 CST
Nearest AirportCairns Aaf (0nm N)
Runway6
Runway Length4500 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28RT-201T PA-28RT-20
Tail NumberN8140Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorThe Plane Thing
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-360-FB · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 36 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind240° @ 2 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point43 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time00:55
Weather SourceWFAC