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

May 27, 1985 · Cessna R182 · N7161S

Seneca, SC

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 27, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Seneca, SC
Aircraft
Cessna R182
Tail Number
N7161S
Operator
Peter Czaja
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL85FA173

DURING FLT, THE PLT WAS OBSERVED TO MAKE A LOW PASS OVER LAKE KEOWEE NEAR A FRIEND'S HOUSEBOAT. THE OWNER OF THE HOUSEBOAT STATED THAT THE ACFT WAS FLYING LOW OFF HIS RIGHT SIDE WHEN THE ACFT STRUCK THE WATER. ANOTHER WITNESS ALSO SAW THE ACFT FLYING AT TREETOP LEVEL OVER HIS POSITION. HE SAW THE ACFT GETTING LOWER & HE EXPECTED THE PLT TO PULL UP, BUT HE DIDN'T. ALSO, HE REPORTED THAT THE ENG WAS OPERATING NORMALLY UNTIL IMPACT. THE ACFT WAS RETREIVED FROM WHERE IT SANK IN ABOUT 80 FT OF WATER, BUT NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE FOUND.

Full Narrative

DURING FLT, THE PLT WAS OBSERVED TO MAKE A LOW PASS OVER LAKE KEOWEE NEAR A FRIEND'S HOUSEBOAT. THE OWNER OF THE HOUSEBOAT STATED THAT THE ACFT WAS FLYING LOW OFF HIS RIGHT SIDE WHEN THE ACFT STRUCK THE WATER. ANOTHER WITNESS ALSO SAW THE ACFT FLYING AT TREETOP LEVEL OVER HIS POSITION. HE SAW THE ACFT GETTING LOWER & HE EXPECTED THE PLT TO PULL UP, BUT HE DIDN'T. ALSO, HE REPORTED THAT THE ENG WAS OPERATING NORMALLY UNTIL IMPACT. THE ACFT WAS RETREIVED FROM WHERE IT SANK IN ABOUT 80 FT OF WATER, BUT NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE FOUND.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:47 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna R182
Tail NumberN7161S
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorPeter Czaja
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-J3C5D · Reciprocating · 235
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 48 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 10 kt, gusting 1 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time17:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data