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 12, 1986 · Piper PA-28-180 · N8085W
Likely, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 12, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Likely, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-180
Tail Number
N8085W
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX86LA352
THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED SAN JOSE AIRPORT (SJC), SAN JOSE, CA ON A BUSINESS FLIGHT IN AN AREA NEAR LIKELY, CA. THE PILOT INTENTIONALLY LANDED ON AN OPEN DIRT AREA TO OBTAIN A SOIL SAMPLE. DURING THE LANDING ROLL-OUT THE AIRPLANE'S LEFT MAIN GEAR SEPARATED AFTER STRIKING A ROCK. THE LEFT WING WAS DAMAGED AFTER IT CONTACTED THE GROUND. THE PILOT DID NOT COMPLETE THE ACCIDENT REPORT BUT HE REPORTED THE CIRCUMSTANCES TO THE RENO, NV FAA FLT STANDARDS DISTRICT OFFICE; HE DID NOT REPORT ANY AIRPLANE MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES PRECEDING THE ACCIDENT.
Full Narrative
THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED SAN JOSE AIRPORT (SJC), SAN JOSE, CA ON A BUSINESS FLIGHT IN AN AREA NEAR LIKELY, CA. THE PILOT INTENTIONALLY LANDED ON AN OPEN DIRT AREA TO OBTAIN A SOIL SAMPLE. DURING THE LANDING ROLL-OUT THE AIRPLANE'S LEFT MAIN GEAR SEPARATED AFTER STRIKING A ROCK. THE LEFT WING WAS DAMAGED AFTER IT CONTACTED THE GROUND. THE PILOT DID NOT COMPLETE THE ACCIDENT REPORT BUT HE REPORTED THE CIRCUMSTANCES TO THE RENO, NV FAA FLT STANDARDS DISTRICT OFFICE; HE DID NOT REPORT ANY AIRPLANE MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES PRECEDING THE ACCIDENT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:20 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-180
Tail NumberN8085W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 56 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility45 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO