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 16, 1986 · Cessna 172M · N1691V
Bennett, CO
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 16, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Bennett, CO
Aircraft
Cessna 172M
Tail Number
N1691V
Operator
Tri-County Flt School
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN86FA252
THE PLT, A BAIL BONDSMAN, FLEW TO GOODLAND, KS, REPORTEDLY IN SEARCH OF AN ACCUSED FELON. ON THE AFTERNOON OF THE ACCIDENT, THE PLT OBTAINED A WX BRIEFING FROM THE FSS AND FILED A VFR FLT PLAN BACK TO THE BRIGHTON-VAN AIRE AIRPORT IN COLORADO. WX WAS CAVU. THE PLT WAS SEEN TO DEPART ALONE FROM GOODLAND AT 1509 CDT. THE PLT CONTACTED DENVER A/C, WAS IDENTIFIED ON RADAR, TOLD TO TURN TO A HEADING OF 320 DEG, TOLD TO PROCEED DIRECT TO VAN AIRE AND REMAIN IN VFR CONDITIONS BELOW THE FLOOR OF THE TCA. THE PLT REPORTED LEVEL AT 7000 FT MSL. RADIO/RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST SHORTLY THEREAFTER AT 1633:33 MDT. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF AIRFRAME, ENG, PROP, FLT CONTROL, OR SYSTEMS FAILURE/MALFUNCTION PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.
Full Narrative
THE PLT, A BAIL BONDSMAN, FLEW TO GOODLAND, KS, REPORTEDLY IN SEARCH OF AN ACCUSED FELON. ON THE AFTERNOON OF THE ACCIDENT, THE PLT OBTAINED A WX BRIEFING FROM THE FSS AND FILED A VFR FLT PLAN BACK TO THE BRIGHTON-VAN AIRE AIRPORT IN COLORADO. WX WAS CAVU. THE PLT WAS SEEN TO DEPART ALONE FROM GOODLAND AT 1509 CDT. THE PLT CONTACTED DENVER A/C, WAS IDENTIFIED ON RADAR, TOLD TO TURN TO A HEADING OF 320 DEG, TOLD TO PROCEED DIRECT TO VAN AIRE AND REMAIN IN VFR CONDITIONS BELOW THE FLOOR OF THE TCA. THE PLT REPORTED LEVEL AT 7000 FT MSL. RADIO/RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST SHORTLY THEREAFTER AT 1633:33 MDT. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF AIRFRAME, ENG, PROP, FLT CONTROL, OR SYSTEMS FAILURE/MALFUNCTION PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:33 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172M
Tail NumberN1691V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorTri-County Flt School
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 41 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind350° @ 12 kt
Visibility70 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point37 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time22:52
Weather SourceWFAC