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 · Cessna 152 · N69118
Sunland, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 21, 1985
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Sunland, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N69118
Operator
Pilot S Co-Op
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX85FA218
THE PLT GOT HIS PVT PLT CERT 6 DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT & PLANNED A LOCAL FLT TO A NEIGHBORING ARPT JUST OVER A COASTAL MTN RANGE FROM THE DEP APRT. 9 NM NORTH OF THE DEPARPT, THE ACCIDENT SITE IS ALMOST ON A DIRECT LINE BETWEEN THE DEP & DEST ARPTS. THE SITE IS ALSO 200 FT BELOW THE CREST OF A 5,100 FT MOUNTAIN RIDGE AT THE END OF A CANYON. NO EVIDENCE WAS FOUND INDICATING THAT THE PLT REQUESTED OR RECEIVED A WX BRIEFING PRIOR TO THE FLT. THE WX REPORTS INDICATE THAT BASES OF THE OVERCAST LAYER WERE AT 3,300 FT & TOPS AT ABOUT 6,000 FT, WITH MODERATE TO SEVERE DOWNDRAFTS & TURBULENCE REPORTED BY OTHER PLTS IN THE AREA. EXAMINATION OF THE ACCIDENT SITE REVEALED THAT THE ACFT IMPACTED THE MTN SIDE AT AN OBLIQUE ANGLE IN A CLIMB ATTITUDE.
Full Narrative
THE PLT GOT HIS PVT PLT CERT 6 DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT & PLANNED A LOCAL FLT TO A NEIGHBORING ARPT JUST OVER A COASTAL MTN RANGE FROM THE DEP APRT. 9 NM NORTH OF THE DEPARPT, THE ACCIDENT SITE IS ALMOST ON A DIRECT LINE BETWEEN THE DEP & DEST ARPTS. THE SITE IS ALSO 200 FT BELOW THE CREST OF A 5,100 FT MOUNTAIN RIDGE AT THE END OF A CANYON. NO EVIDENCE WAS FOUND INDICATING THAT THE PLT REQUESTED OR RECEIVED A WX BRIEFING PRIOR TO THE FLT. THE WX REPORTS INDICATE THAT BASES OF THE OVERCAST LAYER WERE AT 3,300 FT & TOPS AT ABOUT 6,000 FT, WITH MODERATE TO SEVERE DOWNDRAFTS & TURBULENCE REPORTED BY OTHER PLTS IN THE AREA. EXAMINATION OF THE ACCIDENT SITE REVEALED THAT THE ACFT IMPACTED THE MTN SIDE AT AN OBLIQUE ANGLE IN A CLIMB ATTITUDE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:15 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN69118
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorPilot S Co-Op
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 110
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 32 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 8 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingOvercast 3500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 48
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time22:50
Weather SourceWFAC