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 26, 1986 · Piper J3C-65 · N25803
Benson, NC
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 26, 1986
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Benson, NC
Aircraft
Piper J3C-65
Tail Number
N25803
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL86LA229
THE ACFT WAS BEING OPERATED AT LOW LEVEL BENEATH POWER LINES WHEN IT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND. THE PLT SAID HE COULD NOT RECALL THE EVENTS OF THE ACCIDENT. EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED NO DEFECT IN THE FLT CONTROLS NOR THE ENGINE. EXAM OF THE ACCIDENT SITE INDICATED THAT THE ACFT FLEW INTO THE GROUND IN A LEVEL ATTITUDE AND COLLIDED WITH A LOW BERM. THE UNCLE OF THE PASSENGER REPORTED THAT HE HAD OBSERVED THE PLT 'BUZZING' HIS HOUSE IN THE PAST.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT WAS BEING OPERATED AT LOW LEVEL BENEATH POWER LINES WHEN IT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND. THE PLT SAID HE COULD NOT RECALL THE EVENTS OF THE ACCIDENT. EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED NO DEFECT IN THE FLT CONTROLS NOR THE ENGINE. EXAM OF THE ACCIDENT SITE INDICATED THAT THE ACFT FLEW INTO THE GROUND IN A LEVEL ATTITUDE AND COLLIDED WITH A LOW BERM. THE UNCLE OF THE PASSENGER REPORTED THAT HE HAD OBSERVED THE PLT 'BUZZING' HIS HOUSE IN THE PAST.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:22 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper J3C-65
Tail NumberN25803
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · A-65-8 · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 23 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 6 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:51
Weather SourceWFAC