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

February 24, 1985 · Cessna TU206F · N1539U

Seattle, WA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 24, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Seattle, WA
Aircraft
Cessna TU206F
Tail Number
N1539U
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA85LA066

THE ACFT LANDED SHORT OF RWY 13R AT BOEING FLD FOLLOWING A LOSS OF PWR DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE ACFT WAS TOPPED OFF FOR A TTL OF 108 GALS OF FUEL BEFORE THIS THIRD LEG OF A X-COUNTRY FLT. THE PLT STATED THAT THE ENG CEASED OPERATING EN ROUTE, HOWEVER, PWR WAS REGAINED WHEN THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS SWITCHED FROM THE RIGHT TO THE LEFT MAIN TANK. WHILE BEING VECTORED FOR AN ILS APCH TO TACOMA ARPT, THE ENG CEASED OPERATING ONCE AGAIN. UPON BREAKING OUT OF THE OVERCAST THE PLT SPOTTED BOEING FLT AND ATTEMPTED THE LANDING THERE. BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT MAIN AN AUX TANKS WERE FOUND EMPTY AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND FUEL STAINS WERE VISIBLE BEHIND THE REFUELING CAPS ON BOTH MAIN TANKS. THE RIGHT MAIN FUEL CAP WAS TESTED AND FOUND TO LEAK SEVERLY. THE LEFT FUEL CAP TESTED NORMAL. AD 84-10-01 WHICH ADDRESSES LEAKAGE AROUND THE FILLER CAPS WAS REPORTED TO HAVE BEEN COMPLIED WITH 2 DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE BLADDER IN THE LEFT MAIN TANK WAS FOUND STUCK UP AROUND THE NECK OF THE FILLER OPENING.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT LANDED SHORT OF RWY 13R AT BOEING FLD FOLLOWING A LOSS OF PWR DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE ACFT WAS TOPPED OFF FOR A TTL OF 108 GALS OF FUEL BEFORE THIS THIRD LEG OF A X-COUNTRY FLT. THE PLT STATED THAT THE ENG CEASED OPERATING EN ROUTE, HOWEVER, PWR WAS REGAINED WHEN THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS SWITCHED FROM THE RIGHT TO THE LEFT MAIN TANK. WHILE BEING VECTORED FOR AN ILS APCH TO TACOMA ARPT, THE ENG CEASED OPERATING ONCE AGAIN. UPON BREAKING OUT OF THE OVERCAST THE PLT SPOTTED BOEING FLT AND ATTEMPTED THE LANDING THERE. BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT MAIN AN AUX TANKS WERE FOUND EMPTY AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND FUEL STAINS WERE VISIBLE BEHIND THE REFUELING CAPS ON BOTH MAIN TANKS. THE RIGHT MAIN FUEL CAP WAS TESTED AND FOUND TO LEAK SEVERLY. THE LEFT FUEL CAP TESTED NORMAL. AD 84-10-01 WHICH ADDRESSES LEAKAGE AROUND THE FILLER CAPS WAS REPORTED TO HAVE BEEN COMPLIED WITH 2 DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE BLADDER IN THE LEFT MAIN TANK WAS FOUND STUCK UP AROUND THE NECK OF THE FILLER OPENING.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:05 PST
Nearest AirportBoeing Field (0nm N)
Runway13R
Runway Length10000 ft
Runway Width200 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna TU206F
Tail NumberN1539U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520-C · Reciprocating · 285

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 53 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind120° @ 10 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 61 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time00:05
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data