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
April 21, 1985 · Beech E18S · N68V
Janesville, WI
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 21, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Janesville, WI
Aircraft
Beech E18S
Tail Number
N68V
Operator
J Richard Wixom
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI85FA170
ON APRIL 20,1985 AT APPROX. 2100HRS LOCAL TIME A BEECHCRAFT MODEL E185 N68Y OWNED AND OPERATED BY BLACKHAWK AIRWAYS INC. WAS CONDUCTING A NORMAL RUNUP IN PREPARATION FOR A FLIGHT FROM JANESVILLE, WI. (JVL) TO CHICAGO IL. (ORD). AT THE COMPLETION OF THE OF THE RUNUP,BUT PRIOR TO TAKING THE RUNWAY FOR TAKEOFF FIRE WAS DISCOVERED IN THE VICINITY OF THE LEFT ENGINE. AFTER ADVISING THE JANESVILLE CONTROL TOWER OF THE PROBLEM AND REQUESTING ASSISTANCE, THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO BLOW THE FIRE OUT AND AFTER BEING UNSUCCESSFUL, SECURED BOTH ENGINES AND EEXITED THE AIRCRAFT ALONG WITH HIS PASSENGER. THE FIRE WAS ESTINGUISHED BY AIRPORT FIREFIGHTING EQUIPMENT ASSISTED BY UNITS OF THE BELOIT, WI. FIRE DEPT. SOURCE OF FIRE APPEARS TO BE FROM A FUEL LINE, BUT EXACT SOURCE UNDETERMINED DUE TO FIRE DAMAGE.
Full Narrative
ON APRIL 20,1985 AT APPROX. 2100HRS LOCAL TIME A BEECHCRAFT MODEL E185 N68Y OWNED AND OPERATED BY BLACKHAWK AIRWAYS INC. WAS CONDUCTING A NORMAL RUNUP IN PREPARATION FOR A FLIGHT FROM JANESVILLE, WI. (JVL) TO CHICAGO IL. (ORD). AT THE COMPLETION OF THE OF THE RUNUP,BUT PRIOR TO TAKING THE RUNWAY FOR TAKEOFF FIRE WAS DISCOVERED IN THE VICINITY OF THE LEFT ENGINE. AFTER ADVISING THE JANESVILLE CONTROL TOWER OF THE PROBLEM AND REQUESTING ASSISTANCE, THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO BLOW THE FIRE OUT AND AFTER BEING UNSUCCESSFUL, SECURED BOTH ENGINES AND EEXITED THE AIRCRAFT ALONG WITH HIS PASSENGER. THE FIRE WAS ESTINGUISHED BY AIRPORT FIREFIGHTING EQUIPMENT ASSISTED BY UNITS OF THE BELOIT, WI. FIRE DEPT. SOURCE OF FIRE APPEARS TO BE FROM A FUEL LINE, BUT EXACT SOURCE UNDETERMINED DUE TO FIRE DAMAGE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:20 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBeech E18S
Tail NumberN68V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJ Richard Wixom
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R-985-AN-14B · Reciprocating · 450
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 34 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind190° @ 16 kt, gusting 23 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time03:27
Weather SourceWFAC