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 3, 1986 · Cessna 172F · N7879U
Ephraim, UT
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 3, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Ephraim, UT
Aircraft
Cessna 172F
Tail Number
N7879U
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN86LA089
ACCORDING TO THE PLT, UPON HIS ARRIVAL AT THE DEST ARPT, HE COULD NOT ACTIVATE THE RWY LGHTS BY RADIO, SO HE PROCEEDED TO THE NEAREST ARPT. HE STATED HE COULD NOT FIND HIS ALTERNATE ARPT BEACON LIGHT, SO HE REVERSED DIRECTION AND HEADED ONCE MORE TO HIS ORIGINAL DEST. THE PLT SAID THE ENG QUIT BEFORE HE REACHED THE ARPT AND A FORCED LANDING WAS ACCOMPLISHED WITHOUT A LANDING LIGHT BECAUSE IT WAS INOP. THE PLT SAID THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF HE HAD CALLED SLC FSS AND RECEIVED LOCAL NOTAMS.
Full Narrative
ACCORDING TO THE PLT, UPON HIS ARRIVAL AT THE DEST ARPT, HE COULD NOT ACTIVATE THE RWY LGHTS BY RADIO, SO HE PROCEEDED TO THE NEAREST ARPT. HE STATED HE COULD NOT FIND HIS ALTERNATE ARPT BEACON LIGHT, SO HE REVERSED DIRECTION AND HEADED ONCE MORE TO HIS ORIGINAL DEST. THE PLT SAID THE ENG QUIT BEFORE HE REACHED THE ARPT AND A FORCED LANDING WAS ACCOMPLISHED WITHOUT A LANDING LIGHT BECAUSE IT WAS INOP. THE PLT SAID THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF HE HAD CALLED SLC FSS AND RECEIVED LOCAL NOTAMS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:45 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172F
Tail NumberN7879U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300-D · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 56 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind30° @ 6 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO