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
May 21, 1986 · Bellanca 7ACA · N9158L
Lompoc, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 21, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Lompoc, CA
Aircraft
Bellanca 7ACA
Tail Number
N9158L
Operator
Susan K Schwab
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX86LA227
THE BELLANCE CHAMPION WENT OUT OF CONTROL AN COLLIDED WITH TWO OTHER PARKED ACFT AFTER A HAND PROPPED START. THE PLT INDICATED THAT THE ACFT WAS TIED DOWN WITH TWO CHAINS ATTACHED TO EACH OF THE WINGS AT ONE END AND TO A CABLE THAT STRETCHED ACROSS THE RAMP AT THE OTHER END. THE PLT ELECTED TO HAND START THE ENG WITHOUT SOMEONE ON THE BRAKES. WHEN THE ENG STARTED IT DEVELOPED MORE THAN IDLE RPM. THE ACFT BROKE ONE OF THE TIE DOWN CHAINS AND STARTED A PIVOT TURN AROUND THE OTHER CHAIN AND STRUCK TWO PARKED ACFT BEFORE STOPPING. AC 61-21A STATES, 'IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT AN ENGINE NEVER BE 'HAND PROPPED' UNLESS A QUALIFIED PERSON THOROUGHLY FAMILAR WITH THE OPERATION OF ALL THE CONTROLS IS SEATED AT THE CONTROLS AND THE BRAKES SET. AS A ADDITIONAL PRECAUSTION, CHOCKS SHOULD BE PLACED IN FRONT OF THE MAIN WHEELS. IF THIS IS NOT FEASIBLE, THE AIRPLANE'S TAIL SHOULD BE SECURELY TIED.'
Full Narrative
THE BELLANCE CHAMPION WENT OUT OF CONTROL AN COLLIDED WITH TWO OTHER PARKED ACFT AFTER A HAND PROPPED START. THE PLT INDICATED THAT THE ACFT WAS TIED DOWN WITH TWO CHAINS ATTACHED TO EACH OF THE WINGS AT ONE END AND TO A CABLE THAT STRETCHED ACROSS THE RAMP AT THE OTHER END. THE PLT ELECTED TO HAND START THE ENG WITHOUT SOMEONE ON THE BRAKES. WHEN THE ENG STARTED IT DEVELOPED MORE THAN IDLE RPM. THE ACFT BROKE ONE OF THE TIE DOWN CHAINS AND STARTED A PIVOT TURN AROUND THE OTHER CHAIN AND STRUCK TWO PARKED ACFT BEFORE STOPPING. AC 61-21A STATES, 'IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT AN ENGINE NEVER BE 'HAND PROPPED' UNLESS A QUALIFIED PERSON THOROUGHLY FAMILAR WITH THE OPERATION OF ALL THE CONTROLS IS SEATED AT THE CONTROLS AND THE BRAKES SET. AS A ADDITIONAL PRECAUSTION, CHOCKS SHOULD BE PLACED IN FRONT OF THE MAIN WHEELS. IF THIS IS NOT FEASIBLE, THE AIRPLANE'S TAIL SHOULD BE SECURELY TIED.'
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:20 PDT
Nearest AirportLompoc Airport (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBellanca 7ACA
Tail NumberN9158L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSusan K Schwab
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · A65-8-I · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 32 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 20 kt, gusting 24 kt
CeilingBroken clouds 20000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 45 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time20:55
Weather SourceWFAC