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

March 1, 1986 · Cessna 152 · N93604

Drayton Plaines, MI

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 1, 1986
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (1 fatality, 2 serious injuries)
Location
Drayton Plaines, MI
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N93604
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI86FA094

AFTER A HOME BUILT DRAGON FLY GND LOOPED, OTHER ACFT IN THE VFR TRAFFIC PATTERN WERE SENT AROUND, INCLUDING A CESSNA 152(C-152), N93604, FLOWN BY A STUDENT PLT. SHORTLY AFTER THE DRAGON FLY WAS CLRD FM THE RWY, CESSNA 172 (C-172), N48003, ENTERED THE PATTERN, MAKING A TOTAL OF 6 ACFT IN THE PATTERN & 1 ACFT (PLT) WAITING TO DEPART. THE C-172 HAD ENTERED THEPATTERN AHEAD OF THE C-152. THE TWR CONTROLLER (CTLR) TOLD THE STUDENT (C-152) HE WAS #3 IN THE PATTERN 'FOLLOWING A CESSNA ON BASE.' THE STUDENT ACKNOWLEDGED. SHORTLY AFTER THAT, THE #1 ACFT IN THE PATTERN LANDED & THE PLT WAITING TO DEPART WAS CLEARED TO TAKEOFF. AS THE C-172 & C-152 CONTD IN THE PATTERN, THE CTLR ASKED THE STUDENT (C-152) IF HE WAS STILL FOLLOWING THE CESSNA AHEAD; THE STUDENT REPLIED 'THAT'S AFFIRMATIVE.' HOWEVER, ON FINAL APCH, THE 2 ACFT CONVERGED & COLLIDED, THEN FELL TO THE GND. THE CTLR, WHO WAS BUSY, DID NOT SEE THE ACDNT. THE PLT-IN-COMMAND OF THE C-172 WAS FATALLY INJURED; THE 2ND PLT (COPLT) IN THE C-172 & THE C-152 PLT WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED.

Full Narrative

AFTER A HOME BUILT DRAGON FLY GND LOOPED, OTHER ACFT IN THE VFR TRAFFIC PATTERN WERE SENT AROUND, INCLUDING A CESSNA 152(C-152), N93604, FLOWN BY A STUDENT PLT. SHORTLY AFTER THE DRAGON FLY WAS CLRD FM THE RWY, CESSNA 172 (C-172), N48003, ENTERED THE PATTERN, MAKING A TOTAL OF 6 ACFT IN THE PATTERN & 1 ACFT (PLT) WAITING TO DEPART. THE C-172 HAD ENTERED THEPATTERN AHEAD OF THE C-152. THE TWR CONTROLLER (CTLR) TOLD THE STUDENT (C-152) HE WAS #3 IN THE PATTERN 'FOLLOWING A CESSNA ON BASE.' THE STUDENT ACKNOWLEDGED. SHORTLY AFTER THAT, THE #1 ACFT IN THE PATTERN LANDED & THE PLT WAITING TO DEPART WAS CLEARED TO TAKEOFF. AS THE C-172 & C-152 CONTD IN THE PATTERN, THE CTLR ASKED THE STUDENT (C-152) IF HE WAS STILL FOLLOWING THE CESSNA AHEAD; THE STUDENT REPLIED 'THAT'S AFFIRMATIVE.' HOWEVER, ON FINAL APCH, THE 2 ACFT CONVERGED & COLLIDED, THEN FELL TO THE GND. THE CTLR, WHO WAS BUSY, DID NOT SEE THE ACDNT. THE PLT-IN-COMMAND OF THE C-172 WAS FATALLY INJURED; THE 2ND PLT (COPLT) IN THE C-172 & THE C-152 PLT WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:12 EST
Nearest AirportPontiac-Oakland (1nm E)
Runway27R
Runway Length3251 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN93604
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 110 | Lycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (1 fatality, 2 serious injuries)
Fatal1
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 19 · Third Class
Crew 2Age 39 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 11 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 4000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time21:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data