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
July 7, 1986 · Piper J3C-65 · N70824
Welch, WV
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 7, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Welch, WV
Aircraft
Piper J3C-65
Tail Number
N70824
Operator
Sam Hazzard Sr
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL86LA188
WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE PILOT HAD WORKED ON THE ENGINE CARBURETOR FOR SOME TIME AS WELL AS JUST BEFORE THE ACCIDENT TAKEOFF. AT ABOUT 200 FEET AFTER TAKEOFF FROM RWY 27 THE ENGINE QUIT AND THE PILOT MADE A LEFT TURN BACK TO THE RWY AND TRIED TO ALIGN THE ACFT WITH RWY 9. THE ACFT HIT THE GROUND BESIDE THE RWY AND CAME TO REST FACING NORTH. A FIRE ERUPTED AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED.FIRE DAMAGE PREVENTED DETERMINING IF THERE WAS A CARBURETOR MALFUNCTION. THE AIRPORT SITS ON A TABLETOP MOUNTAIN WITH STEEP SIDES AND IS SURROUNDED BY DENSE WOODS.
Full Narrative
WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE PILOT HAD WORKED ON THE ENGINE CARBURETOR FOR SOME TIME AS WELL AS JUST BEFORE THE ACCIDENT TAKEOFF. AT ABOUT 200 FEET AFTER TAKEOFF FROM RWY 27 THE ENGINE QUIT AND THE PILOT MADE A LEFT TURN BACK TO THE RWY AND TRIED TO ALIGN THE ACFT WITH RWY 9. THE ACFT HIT THE GROUND BESIDE THE RWY AND CAME TO REST FACING NORTH. A FIRE ERUPTED AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED.FIRE DAMAGE PREVENTED DETERMINING IF THERE WAS A CARBURETOR MALFUNCTION. THE AIRPORT SITS ON A TABLETOP MOUNTAIN WITH STEEP SIDES AND IS SURROUNDED BY DENSE WOODS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:15 EDT
Nearest AirportWelch Municipal (0nm N)
Runway27
Runway Length2375 ft
Runway Width40 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper J3C-65
Tail NumberN70824
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorSam Hazzard Sr
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-85 · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 53 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time00:00
Weather SourceWFAC