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
February 11, 1985 · Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9 · N978Z
Champaign, IL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Incident
Date
February 11, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (53 uninjured)
Location
Champaign, IL
Aircraft
Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9
Tail Number
N978Z
Operator
Ozark Air Lines
Injuries
None
NTSB Number
CHI85IA118
OZARK FLT #814 MOMENTARILY TOUCHED DOWN WITH THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR 16 FT OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF RWY 31. WHEN 50 FT ABOVE MINIMUMS DURING THE ILS RWY 31 APCH THE F/O CALLED RWY IN SIGHT. CAPTAIN ASKED FOR LANDING LIGHTS WHICH THE F/O TURNED ON. CAPTAIN STATED, 'AT THIS POINT I NOTICED IT WAS SO BRIGHT, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO SEE. EITHER THE WEATHER HAD DETERIORATED OR THE LIGHTS REDUCED THE VISIBILITY TO THE POINT THAT I DECIDED A GO AROUND WAS NECESSARY.' A GO AROUND WAS INITIATED AND THE FLIGHT DIVERTED TO ST. LOUIS, MO. A 4 FT WIDE BY 100 FT LONG TRACK WAS FOUND IN THE SNOW 16 FT OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF RWY. WEATHER AT THE TIME WAS DOWN TO APPROACH MINIMUMS.
Full Narrative
OZARK FLT #814 MOMENTARILY TOUCHED DOWN WITH THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR 16 FT OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF RWY 31. WHEN 50 FT ABOVE MINIMUMS DURING THE ILS RWY 31 APCH THE F/O CALLED RWY IN SIGHT. CAPTAIN ASKED FOR LANDING LIGHTS WHICH THE F/O TURNED ON. CAPTAIN STATED, 'AT THIS POINT I NOTICED IT WAS SO BRIGHT, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO SEE. EITHER THE WEATHER HAD DETERIORATED OR THE LIGHTS REDUCED THE VISIBILITY TO THE POINT THAT I DECIDED A GO AROUND WAS NECESSARY.' A GO AROUND WAS INITIATED AND THE FLIGHT DIVERTED TO ST. LOUIS, MO. A 4 FT WIDE BY 100 FT LONG TRACK WAS FOUND IN THE SNOW 16 FT OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF RWY. WEATHER AT THE TIME WAS DOWN TO APPROACH MINIMUMS.
Flight
Event TypeIncident
Event Time23:25 CST
Nearest AirportWILLARD (0nm N)
Runway31
Runway Length8100 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftMcdonnell Douglas DC-9
Tail NumberN978Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorOzark Air Lines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsP&W · JT8 · Turbofan · 14500
Seats116
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (53 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured53
Total53
Crew 1Age 50 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility1 sm
Ceiling200 ft
Temperature / Dew Point34 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time05:13
Weather SourceWFAC