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

October 18, 1986 · Cessna 150L · N18737

Pacoima, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 18, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Pacoima, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 150L
Tail Number
N18737
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX87LA020

THE PLT REFUELED THE ACFT, BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENG BY USING THE BATTERY. HE HAND PROPPED THE ENG WHICH STARTED IMMEDIATELY. THE ACFT BEGAN TO MOVE UNATTENDED & THE PLT CLUNG TO THE LEFT WING STRUT, BUT RELINQUISHED HIS GRIP AFTER THE ACFT MOVED APRX 20 FT. THE ACFT CONTINUED & STRUCK 2 OTHER SINGLE ENG ACFT BEFORE STOPPING. A WITNESS SHUT DOWN THE ENG BY TURNING OFF THE MAGNETOS. POLICE, PARAMEDICS & WITNESSES NOTED A STRONG ODOR OF ALCOHOL ON THE PLT'S BREATH. A POLICE OFFICER ALSO NOTED THAT THE PLT'S SPEECH WAS 'THICK/SLURRED.' THE INJURED PLT WAS TAKEN TO A MEDICAL CENTER, BUT HE LEFT BEFORE BEING CHECKED FOR ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION. A WITNESS STATED THAT HE & THE PLT WERE IN A BAR PRIOR TO THE ATTEMPTED FLT & THAT THE PLT HAD OFFERED TO FLY HIM TO BAKERSFIELD, CA. THE PLT'S LAST MEDICAL CERTIFICATE WAS DATED 12/28/82; AT THAT TIME, HE RPRTD HE HAD ACCUMULATED 1000 HRS OF FLT TIME.

Full Narrative

THE PLT REFUELED THE ACFT, BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENG BY USING THE BATTERY. HE HAND PROPPED THE ENG WHICH STARTED IMMEDIATELY. THE ACFT BEGAN TO MOVE UNATTENDED & THE PLT CLUNG TO THE LEFT WING STRUT, BUT RELINQUISHED HIS GRIP AFTER THE ACFT MOVED APRX 20 FT. THE ACFT CONTINUED & STRUCK 2 OTHER SINGLE ENG ACFT BEFORE STOPPING. A WITNESS SHUT DOWN THE ENG BY TURNING OFF THE MAGNETOS. POLICE, PARAMEDICS & WITNESSES NOTED A STRONG ODOR OF ALCOHOL ON THE PLT'S BREATH. A POLICE OFFICER ALSO NOTED THAT THE PLT'S SPEECH WAS 'THICK/SLURRED.' THE INJURED PLT WAS TAKEN TO A MEDICAL CENTER, BUT HE LEFT BEFORE BEING CHECKED FOR ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION. A WITNESS STATED THAT HE & THE PLT WERE IN A BAR PRIOR TO THE ATTEMPTED FLT & THAT THE PLT HAD OFFERED TO FLY HIM TO BAKERSFIELD, CA. THE PLT'S LAST MEDICAL CERTIFICATE WAS DATED 12/28/82; AT THAT TIME, HE RPRTD HE HAD ACCUMULATED 1000 HRS OF FLT TIME.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 PDT
Nearest AirportWHITEMAN (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 150L
Tail NumberN18737
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200-A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 67 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 5 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time21:47
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data