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 29, 1986 · Cessna 177 · N29849
Portage, WI
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 29, 1986
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Portage, WI
Aircraft
Cessna 177
Tail Number
N29849
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI86FEP01
SEVERAL WITNESSES STATED THAT UPON CLIMBOUT FOLLOWING A LOW PASS, SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE ENGINE AND THE ENGINE SPUTTERED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS THEN SEEN IN A STEEP TURN. DURING THIS TURN THE WINGS REACHED A VERTICAL POSITION AND THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED TO THE SURFACE OF A FROZEN LAKE. IT SUBSEQUENTLY SANK BELOW THE ICE. THE LAST TURN OCCURRED AT APPROXIMATELY 250 FEET AGL. THE CAUSE OF THE REPORTED LOSS OF POWER COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.
Full Narrative
SEVERAL WITNESSES STATED THAT UPON CLIMBOUT FOLLOWING A LOW PASS, SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE ENGINE AND THE ENGINE SPUTTERED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS THEN SEEN IN A STEEP TURN. DURING THIS TURN THE WINGS REACHED A VERTICAL POSITION AND THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED TO THE SURFACE OF A FROZEN LAKE. IT SUBSEQUENTLY SANK BELOW THE ICE. THE LAST TURN OCCURRED AT APPROXIMATELY 250 FEET AGL. THE CAUSE OF THE REPORTED LOSS OF POWER COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:15 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 177
Tail NumberN29849
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 23 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 16 kt, gusting 21 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time21:50
Weather SourceWFAC