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 30, 1986 · Piper PA-28-180 · N3618R

John Day, OR

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 30, 1986
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
John Day, OR
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-180
Tail Number
N3618R
Operator
Jerry L Johnston
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA86FA232

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOTS DEPARTED HERMISTON EN ROUTE TO BURNS, OREGON. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED; HOWEVER, MOUNTAIN TOPS ALONG THE ROUTE OF FLIGHT WERE OCCASIONALLY OBSTRUCTED BY LOCAL CLOUD LAYERS. DURING THE COURSE OF THE FLIGHT THE PILOT(S) ENTERED INTO AND THEN CONTINUED WITHIN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. SOMETIME THEREAFTER, THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH SHARPLY UPSLOPING MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

Full Narrative

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOTS DEPARTED HERMISTON EN ROUTE TO BURNS, OREGON. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED; HOWEVER, MOUNTAIN TOPS ALONG THE ROUTE OF FLIGHT WERE OCCASIONALLY OBSTRUCTED BY LOCAL CLOUD LAYERS. DURING THE COURSE OF THE FLIGHT THE PILOT(S) ENTERED INTO AND THEN CONTINUED WITHIN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. SOMETIME THEREAFTER, THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH SHARPLY UPSLOPING MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:24 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-180
Tail NumberN3618R
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorJerry L Johnston
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A3A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 43 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsUnknown
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 6500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 46
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time13:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data