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
August 16, 1986 · Mooney M20C · N3986N
Hillsville, VA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 16, 1986
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 serious injuries)
Location
Hillsville, VA
Aircraft
Mooney M20C
Tail Number
N3986N
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL86FA222
THE PLT, ALSO AN A&P AND IA, HAD FLOWN THE ACFT ON THE PREVIOUS DAY AND NOTED RPM AT 2500 ON INITIAL CLIMB. ON THE ACCIDENT FLT, THE ACFT WAS LOADED TO NEAR MAX GROSS WEIGHT AND TAKEOFF WAS ATTEMPTED AT A DENSITY ALT OF 4810 FT MSL. THE ACFT USED ABOUT 3/4 OF THE 4200 FT RWY FOR TAKEOFF ROLL.THE PLT RATED PASSENGER STATED THAT THE STALL WARNING CAME ON SHORTLY AFTER LIFT OFF AND STAYED ON UNTIL IMPACT. THE PLT STATED THAT THERE WAS A NOTICABLE LOSS OF PWR ABOUT .4 MILES FROM THE RWY AND THE STALL WARNING DID NOT ACTIVATE UNTIL THEN. THE PLT HAD FLOWN 1 HOUR IN THIS MAKE/MODEL ACFT DURING THE LAST 90 DAYS.
Full Narrative
THE PLT, ALSO AN A&P AND IA, HAD FLOWN THE ACFT ON THE PREVIOUS DAY AND NOTED RPM AT 2500 ON INITIAL CLIMB. ON THE ACCIDENT FLT, THE ACFT WAS LOADED TO NEAR MAX GROSS WEIGHT AND TAKEOFF WAS ATTEMPTED AT A DENSITY ALT OF 4810 FT MSL. THE ACFT USED ABOUT 3/4 OF THE 4200 FT RWY FOR TAKEOFF ROLL.THE PLT RATED PASSENGER STATED THAT THE STALL WARNING CAME ON SHORTLY AFTER LIFT OFF AND STAYED ON UNTIL IMPACT. THE PLT STATED THAT THERE WAS A NOTICABLE LOSS OF PWR ABOUT .4 MILES FROM THE RWY AND THE STALL WARNING DID NOT ACTIVATE UNTIL THEN. THE PLT HAD FLOWN 1 HOUR IN THIS MAKE/MODEL ACFT DURING THE LAST 90 DAYS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:20 EDT
Nearest AirportGalex-Hillsville (1nm N)
Runway36
Runway Length4200 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftMooney M20C
Tail NumberN3986N
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A10 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (3 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious3
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 47 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourceWIT