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

November 22, 1986 · Cessna 172G · N3871L

Evansville, IN

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 22, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 3 uninjured
Location
Evansville, IN
Aircraft
Cessna 172G
Tail Number
N3871L
Operator
Demia B Meadows
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI87LA035

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, JUST AFTER STARTING A DESCENT FROM 300O FEET, WHILE INBOUND TO EVANSVILLE DRESS REGIONAL AIRPORT(EVV), THE ENGINE 'SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING QUIT.' THE PLT STATED THAT AFTER DECIDING HE COULD NOT MAKE EVV, HE TURNED LEFT AND SET UP A FINAL APCH FOR A WAREHOUSE PARKING AREA. THE PLT STATED THAT APRX THREE FEET AFTER TOUCHDOWN THE ACFT STRUCK A SECURITY FENCE AND THE ACFT FLIPPED OVER. MINIMAL FUEL LEAKAGE OCCURRED AFTER THE CRASH AND THE FUEL TANKS WERE DRAINED. THE LEFT TANK CONTAINED APRX 1 1/2 GALLONS AND THE RIGHT TANK HELD ABOUT 3/4 OF A GALLON. APRX ONE OUNCE OF FUEL WAS EVIDENCED IN THE CARBURETOR BOWL AND ABOUT ONE OUNCE WAS DETECTED IN THE FUEL STRAINER. THE TWO FUEL TANKS IN THIS ACFT HOLD A TOTAL OF 42 GALLONS, THREE OF WHICH ARE UNUSABLE. WHEN POWER WAS APPLIED, THE RIGHT FUEL INDICATOR READ 3/4 OF A TANK AND THE LEFT FUEL INDICATOR DISPLAYED AN EMPTY READING.

Full Narrative

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, JUST AFTER STARTING A DESCENT FROM 300O FEET, WHILE INBOUND TO EVANSVILLE DRESS REGIONAL AIRPORT(EVV), THE ENGINE 'SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING QUIT.' THE PLT STATED THAT AFTER DECIDING HE COULD NOT MAKE EVV, HE TURNED LEFT AND SET UP A FINAL APCH FOR A WAREHOUSE PARKING AREA. THE PLT STATED THAT APRX THREE FEET AFTER TOUCHDOWN THE ACFT STRUCK A SECURITY FENCE AND THE ACFT FLIPPED OVER. MINIMAL FUEL LEAKAGE OCCURRED AFTER THE CRASH AND THE FUEL TANKS WERE DRAINED. THE LEFT TANK CONTAINED APRX 1 1/2 GALLONS AND THE RIGHT TANK HELD ABOUT 3/4 OF A GALLON. APRX ONE OUNCE OF FUEL WAS EVIDENCED IN THE CARBURETOR BOWL AND ABOUT ONE OUNCE WAS DETECTED IN THE FUEL STRAINER. THE TWO FUEL TANKS IN THIS ACFT HOLD A TOTAL OF 42 GALLONS, THREE OF WHICH ARE UNUSABLE. WHEN POWER WAS APPLIED, THE RIGHT FUEL INDICATOR READ 3/4 OF A TANK AND THE LEFT FUEL INDICATOR DISPLAYED AN EMPTY READING.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:13 CST
Nearest AirportEvansville Dress Regional (1nm SE)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172G
Tail NumberN3871L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDemia B Meadows
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300-D · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 3 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured3
Total4
Crew 1Age 26 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
Wind80° @ 5 kt
Visibility8 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point28 C / 27 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time01:21
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data