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
July 21, 1985 · Bellanca 8KCAB · N5504B
Fall River, MA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 21, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Fall River, MA
Aircraft
Bellanca 8KCAB
Tail Number
N5504B
Operator
Panama Banner Enterprises
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC85FA185
WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT EXECUTE AN AERIAL PICK UP OF THE AERIAL ADVERTISING BANNER & CLIMB VERY STEEPLY AWAY FROM THE GROUND. NORMAL ENG SOUNDS WERE REPORTED BY THE WITNESSES. THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO CLIMB TO AN ALT OF APPROX 150 FT, NEARLY COME TO A STOP, ROLL LT, THEN RT & CRASH TO THE GROUND. THE PLT WAS NOT LISTED ON THE HOLDER'S CERTIFICATE OF WAIVER ISSURED BY THE FAA FOR BANNER TOWING. ONE WITNESS STATED THAT THE BANNER WAS STILL ATTACHED TO THE ACFT AS IT DOVE TO THE GROUND.
Full Narrative
WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT EXECUTE AN AERIAL PICK UP OF THE AERIAL ADVERTISING BANNER & CLIMB VERY STEEPLY AWAY FROM THE GROUND. NORMAL ENG SOUNDS WERE REPORTED BY THE WITNESSES. THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO CLIMB TO AN ALT OF APPROX 150 FT, NEARLY COME TO A STOP, ROLL LT, THEN RT & CRASH TO THE GROUND. THE PLT WAS NOT LISTED ON THE HOLDER'S CERTIFICATE OF WAIVER ISSURED BY THE FAA FOR BANNER TOWING. ONE WITNESS STATED THAT THE BANNER WAS STILL ATTACHED TO THE ACFT AS IT DOVE TO THE GROUND.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:10 EDT
Nearest AirportFall River Muni. (0nm N)
Runway6
Runway Length3950 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBellanca 8KCAB
Tail NumberN5504B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorPanama Banner Enterprises
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · AEIO-320-E1B · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 61 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360°
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT