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 13, 1986 · Cessna T210N · N5534Y
Bullhead City, AZ
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 13, 1986
Injury Outcomes
6 injuries (6 fatalities)
Location
Bullhead City, AZ
Aircraft
Cessna T210N
Tail Number
N5534Y
Operator
Scottsdale Aero Mech Flying Cl
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX86FA288
THE PRIVATE PILOT, WHO HAD ACCUMULATED APPROXIMATELY 450 HOURS OF FLIGHT EXPERIENCE AND HIS 5 PASSENGERS, ARRIVED AT THE DESTINATION AIRPORT DURING DARKNESS. THIS WAS THE PILOT'S FIRST LANDING AT THE UNCONTROLLED AIRPORT AND HE WAS NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE TRAFFIC PATTERN. ON HIS ARRIVAL HE ENTERED THE TRAFFIC PATTERN ON A RIGHT DOWNWIND LEG TO RUNWAY 35. THIS PATTERN WAS CONTRARY TO THE PUBLISHED PATTERN AND THE LIGHTED SEGMENTED CIRCLE VISUAL TRAFFIC PATTERN INDICATOR ON THE AIRPORT. HE WAS UNABLE TO COMLETE HIS FIRST ATTEMPT TO LAND AND MADE A GO-AROUND. AFTER CLIMBING PAST THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY THE PILOT MADE A LEFT STEEP TURN OF APPROXIMATELY 225 DEGREES. THE TURN PLACED THE AIRCRAFT ON A RIGHT DOWNWIND TO RUNWAY 35 AND IT DESCENDED INTO HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION LINES.
Full Narrative
THE PRIVATE PILOT, WHO HAD ACCUMULATED APPROXIMATELY 450 HOURS OF FLIGHT EXPERIENCE AND HIS 5 PASSENGERS, ARRIVED AT THE DESTINATION AIRPORT DURING DARKNESS. THIS WAS THE PILOT'S FIRST LANDING AT THE UNCONTROLLED AIRPORT AND HE WAS NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE TRAFFIC PATTERN. ON HIS ARRIVAL HE ENTERED THE TRAFFIC PATTERN ON A RIGHT DOWNWIND LEG TO RUNWAY 35. THIS PATTERN WAS CONTRARY TO THE PUBLISHED PATTERN AND THE LIGHTED SEGMENTED CIRCLE VISUAL TRAFFIC PATTERN INDICATOR ON THE AIRPORT. HE WAS UNABLE TO COMLETE HIS FIRST ATTEMPT TO LAND AND MADE A GO-AROUND. AFTER CLIMBING PAST THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY THE PILOT MADE A LEFT STEEP TURN OF APPROXIMATELY 225 DEGREES. THE TURN PLACED THE AIRCRAFT ON A RIGHT DOWNWIND TO RUNWAY 35 AND IT DESCENDED INTO HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION LINES.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:25 MST
Nearest AirportBullhead City (1nm E)
Runway35
Runway Length5060 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna T210N
Tail NumberN5534Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorScottsdale Aero Mech Flying Cl
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520R · Reciprocating · 285
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary6 injuries (6 fatalities)
Fatal6
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total6
Crew 1Age 39 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind190° @ 2 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point43 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time03:55
Weather SourceWFAC