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
January 27, 1985 · Piper PA-28-181 · N82048
League City, TX
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 27, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
League City, TX
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-181
Tail Number
N82048
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW85LA102
THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A DITCH ABOUT 75 YARDS SHORT OF RWY 13 DURING A PRACTICE NIGHT FORCED LANDING. THE PVT PLT, AN EMPLOYEE OF THE FBO OPERATOR, HAD TAKEN THE ACFT WITHOUT PERMISSION AND HAD BEEN FLYING FOR APPROX 1.7 HRS WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE 18 YR OLD PILOT TOLD POLICE OFFICERS AND THE OPERATOR THAT HE WAS PRACTICING FORCED LANDINGS, DURING WHICH, HE WOULD TURN OFF THE MAGS AND EXECUTE THE FORCED LANDING, TO THE END OF THE RUNWAY. HE REPORTED THAT THE PROP STOPPED TURNING ON A SHORT FINAL APCH AND THE ACFT STRUCK THE GROUND SHORT OF THE RWY WHILE HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO RESTART THE ENG.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A DITCH ABOUT 75 YARDS SHORT OF RWY 13 DURING A PRACTICE NIGHT FORCED LANDING. THE PVT PLT, AN EMPLOYEE OF THE FBO OPERATOR, HAD TAKEN THE ACFT WITHOUT PERMISSION AND HAD BEEN FLYING FOR APPROX 1.7 HRS WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE 18 YR OLD PILOT TOLD POLICE OFFICERS AND THE OPERATOR THAT HE WAS PRACTICING FORCED LANDINGS, DURING WHICH, HE WOULD TURN OFF THE MAGS AND EXECUTE THE FORCED LANDING, TO THE END OF THE RUNWAY. HE REPORTED THAT THE PROP STOPPED TURNING ON A SHORT FINAL APCH AND THE ACFT STRUCK THE GROUND SHORT OF THE RWY WHILE HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO RESTART THE ENG.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time00:30 CST
Nearest AirportHouston Gulf (3nm NW)
Runway13
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-181
Tail NumberN82048
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4M · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 18 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind100° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 1600 ft
Temperature / Dew Point48 / 41 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time05:54
Weather SourceWFAC