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
December 21, 1986 · Cessna 172M · N64342
Kingston, NY
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 21, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality), 3 uninjured
Location
Kingston, NY
Aircraft
Cessna 172M
Tail Number
N64342
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC87FA049
CESSNA 172M, N64342, WAS ON HIS INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKING OFF ON RUNWAY 33 AT THE UNCONTROLLED KINGSTON-ULSTER AIRPORT WHEN THE PILOT FAILED TO SEE CESSNA 177, N2981X, OR HEAR, ON THE UNICOM FREQUENCY, THE TRANSMISSIONS BY N2981X WHO WAS ON HIS FINAL APPROACH TO THE RUNWAY WHEN N64342 INITIATED HIS TAKEOFF. N2981X INITIATED A GO-AROUND ON THE THE RUNWAY HEADING. N64342 CONTINUED IN HIS CLIMB AND THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED AT A HEIGHT OF ABOUT 300 FT AGL OVER THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT OF N64342 LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT WHEN THE OTHER AIRCRAFT'S PROPELLER MADE MULTIPLE STRIKES ON THE OUTBOARD TOP OF HIS RIGHT WING AND THE AIRCRAFT DOVE INTO THE GROUND IN A NEAR VERTICAL ATTITUDE AND BURST INTO FLAMES. THE PILOT OF N2981X EXECUTED A RIGHT APPROACH BACK TO THE AIRFIELD AND LANDED SAFELY.
Full Narrative
CESSNA 172M, N64342, WAS ON HIS INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKING OFF ON RUNWAY 33 AT THE UNCONTROLLED KINGSTON-ULSTER AIRPORT WHEN THE PILOT FAILED TO SEE CESSNA 177, N2981X, OR HEAR, ON THE UNICOM FREQUENCY, THE TRANSMISSIONS BY N2981X WHO WAS ON HIS FINAL APPROACH TO THE RUNWAY WHEN N64342 INITIATED HIS TAKEOFF. N2981X INITIATED A GO-AROUND ON THE THE RUNWAY HEADING. N64342 CONTINUED IN HIS CLIMB AND THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED AT A HEIGHT OF ABOUT 300 FT AGL OVER THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT OF N64342 LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT WHEN THE OTHER AIRCRAFT'S PROPELLER MADE MULTIPLE STRIKES ON THE OUTBOARD TOP OF HIS RIGHT WING AND THE AIRCRAFT DOVE INTO THE GROUND IN A NEAR VERTICAL ATTITUDE AND BURST INTO FLAMES. THE PILOT OF N2981X EXECUTED A RIGHT APPROACH BACK TO THE AIRFIELD AND LANDED SAFELY.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:10 EST
Nearest AirportKingston-Ulster (0nm N)
Runway33
Runway Length3250 ft
Runway Width20 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172M
Tail NumberN64342
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150 | Lycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality), 3 uninjured
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total4
Crew 1Age 68 · Third Class
Crew 2Age 50 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 10 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point36 C / 19 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO