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
September 7, 1986 · Piper PA-24 180 · N6309P
Huntsville, AL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 7, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Huntsville, AL
Aircraft
Piper PA-24 180
Tail Number
N6309P
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL86LA247
THE STATED PURPOSE OF THIS FLT WAS A BFR FOR THE PLT. BOTH THE CFI AND THE PLT STATED THAT THE BFR PART OF THE FLT WAS COMPLETE AND THAT THE PLT WAS PRACTICING A SHORT FIELD LANDING WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE APPROACH WAS TOO LOW AND THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR SNAGGED A CABLE STRUNG ACROSS THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE CABLE WAS TO KEEP CARS FROM TAKING A SHORT CUT ACROSS THE RWY. RWY 36 HAS A DISPLACED THRESHOLD. OTHER ACFT IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN FORCED THE PLT TO MAKE A LONGER THAN NORMAL FINAL APCH. THE PAX STATED THAT HE NOTICED THAT THE SINK RATE INCREASED JUST PRIOR TO IMPACT WITH THE CABLE.
Full Narrative
THE STATED PURPOSE OF THIS FLT WAS A BFR FOR THE PLT. BOTH THE CFI AND THE PLT STATED THAT THE BFR PART OF THE FLT WAS COMPLETE AND THAT THE PLT WAS PRACTICING A SHORT FIELD LANDING WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE APPROACH WAS TOO LOW AND THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR SNAGGED A CABLE STRUNG ACROSS THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE CABLE WAS TO KEEP CARS FROM TAKING A SHORT CUT ACROSS THE RWY. RWY 36 HAS A DISPLACED THRESHOLD. OTHER ACFT IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN FORCED THE PLT TO MAKE A LONGER THAN NORMAL FINAL APCH. THE PAX STATED THAT HE NOTICED THAT THE SINK RATE INCREASED JUST PRIOR TO IMPACT WITH THE CABLE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:15 CDT
Nearest AirportHuntsville Airport North (0nm N)
Runway36
Runway Length3765 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-24 180
Tail NumberN6309P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A1A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 54 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 9 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:46
Weather SourceWFAC