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
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

August 4, 1986 · Ward Skybolt · N2TW

Cranford, NJ

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 4, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Cranford, NJ
Aircraft
Ward Skybolt
Tail Number
N2TW
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC86FHM04

WITNESSES HEARD THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE POP, SPUTTER AND THEN GO SILENT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO CONTINUALLY LOSE ALTITUDE, THEN VISUAL CONTACT WAS LOST DUE TO THE TREE LINE. POST-ACCIDENT WRECKAGE EXAMINATION DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL ON BOARD THE AIRCRAFT. THE PLTS FLT TIME WAS NOT REPORTED OR AVAILABLE.

Full Narrative

WITNESSES HEARD THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE POP, SPUTTER AND THEN GO SILENT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO CONTINUALLY LOSE ALTITUDE, THEN VISUAL CONTACT WAS LOST DUE TO THE TREE LINE. POST-ACCIDENT WRECKAGE EXAMINATION DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL ON BOARD THE AIRCRAFT. THE PLTS FLT TIME WAS NOT REPORTED OR AVAILABLE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftWard Skybolt
Tail NumberN2TW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsUnknown · UNK · Reciprocating
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 43 · Unknown

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data