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 14, 1986 · Piper PA-28-181 · N8259E

Williamstown, NJ

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 14, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Williamstown, NJ
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-181
Tail Number
N8259E
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC86FA084

THE PLT EXECUTED VOR RWY 09 APCH TO THE ARPT AT NIGHT AND DURING LOW VISIBILITY CONDITIONS THAT RANGED FROM 100 TO 400 FEET DUE TO FOG. THE ACFT FIRST COLLIDED WITH A HOUSE, FOLLOWED BY TWO PARKED CARS AND THEN MAIN IMPACT WITH A SECOND HOUSE. THE ACCIDENT SITE WAS ABOUT ONE-HALF MILE EAST OF THE AIRPORT AND NORTH OF THE EXTENDED RWY 09/27 CENTERLINE. THE ACFT WAS HEADED NORTHWEST AT THE TIME OF THE IMPACT. WITNESSES HEARD ENGINE SOUNDS JUST PRIOR TO IMPACT. THE PLT WAS RETURNING HOME FROM A BUSINESS TRIP THAT CONSTITUTED THE DAY OF AND DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT

Full Narrative

THE PLT EXECUTED VOR RWY 09 APCH TO THE ARPT AT NIGHT AND DURING LOW VISIBILITY CONDITIONS THAT RANGED FROM 100 TO 400 FEET DUE TO FOG. THE ACFT FIRST COLLIDED WITH A HOUSE, FOLLOWED BY TWO PARKED CARS AND THEN MAIN IMPACT WITH A SECOND HOUSE. THE ACCIDENT SITE WAS ABOUT ONE-HALF MILE EAST OF THE AIRPORT AND NORTH OF THE EXTENDED RWY 09/27 CENTERLINE. THE ACFT WAS HEADED NORTHWEST AT THE TIME OF THE IMPACT. WITNESSES HEARD ENGINE SOUNDS JUST PRIOR TO IMPACT. THE PLT WAS RETURNING HOME FROM A BUSINESS TRIP THAT CONSTITUTED THE DAY OF AND DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:05 EST
Nearest AirportCross Keys (1nm ENE)
Runway0
Runway Length2250 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-181
Tail NumberN8259E
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4M · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 38 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightBright Night
Wind100° @ 3 kt
Visibility25 sm
Ceiling100 ft
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 45 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time23:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data