NTSB Reports
Aviation Safety Intelligence
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.

Get the iPhone App
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

May 3, 1986 · Cessna 172N · N4838G

Starkville, MS

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 3, 1986
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 serious injuries)
Location
Starkville, MS
Aircraft
Cessna 172N
Tail Number
N4838G
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA86FA142

WITNESSES RPRTD THAT THE PLT HAD PURCHASED WINE COOLER BEVERAGES BEFORE GOING TO THE ARPT. HE STATED THAT HE DRANK FROM ONE OF THE BOTTLES BEFORE THE FLT. THE PLT TOOK OFF AT ABOUT 2230 CDT. AFTER TAKEOFF, HE FLEW BACK OVER THE ARPT & MADE A LOW PASS OVER A BUILDING (PLT LOUNGE). HE INITIATED A 2ND PASS TOWARD THE PLT LOUNGE (DURING DARKNESS), BUT THE ACFT STRUCK TREES, CRASHED TO THE GROUND & BURNED. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE RPRTD. A CHECK OF THE PLT'S BLOOD (TAKEN 1 HR & 20 MIN AFTER THE ACDNT) SHOWED AN ALCOHOL LVL OF 25 MG% (0.025%) & A TRACE OF BUTALBITAL. FIORINAL TABLETS (BUTALBITAL) HAD BEEN PRESCRIBED FOR MEDICATION.

Full Narrative

WITNESSES RPRTD THAT THE PLT HAD PURCHASED WINE COOLER BEVERAGES BEFORE GOING TO THE ARPT. HE STATED THAT HE DRANK FROM ONE OF THE BOTTLES BEFORE THE FLT. THE PLT TOOK OFF AT ABOUT 2230 CDT. AFTER TAKEOFF, HE FLEW BACK OVER THE ARPT & MADE A LOW PASS OVER A BUILDING (PLT LOUNGE). HE INITIATED A 2ND PASS TOWARD THE PLT LOUNGE (DURING DARKNESS), BUT THE ACFT STRUCK TREES, CRASHED TO THE GROUND & BURNED. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE RPRTD. A CHECK OF THE PLT'S BLOOD (TAKEN 1 HR & 20 MIN AFTER THE ACDNT) SHOWED AN ALCOHOL LVL OF 25 MG% (0.025%) & A TRACE OF BUTALBITAL. FIORINAL TABLETS (BUTALBITAL) HAD BEEN PRESCRIBED FOR MEDICATION.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time22:50 CDT
Nearest AirportGeorge M Bryan (0nm N)
Runway0
Runway Length5050 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172N
Tail NumberN4838G
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-H2AD · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (4 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious4
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 18 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind350° @ 5 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 39 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time03:55
Weather SourceWFAC

External Links

Appendix: Source Data