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
August 31, 1985 · Cessna A150K · N8409M
Avalon, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 31, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Avalon, CA
Aircraft
Cessna A150K
Tail Number
N8409M
Operator
Raymond C White
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX85LA377
THE PLT SAID THE OPERATION WAS ABOUT 4 AND 1/2 HOURS INTO A COMMERCIAL FISH SPOTTING FLT WHEN THE ENGINE 'BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH, THEN QUIT ALTOGETHER.' ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE ENGINE WERE UNSUCCESSFUL AND THE PLT COMPLETED A POWER-OFF DITCHING AT SEA. HE AND THE PSGR, WHO WAS ALSO AN EXPERIENCED PLT, SAID 'THE ENGINE STOPPED ABRUPTLY AFTER SOME INTERNAL NOISE. THE PROP DID NOT WINDMILL . . . THE STARTER WOULD NOT TURN THE PROPELLER.' AFTER DITCHING, THE ACFT SANK IN ABOUT 300 TO 400 FT OF WATER AND WAS NOT RECOVERED.
Full Narrative
THE PLT SAID THE OPERATION WAS ABOUT 4 AND 1/2 HOURS INTO A COMMERCIAL FISH SPOTTING FLT WHEN THE ENGINE 'BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH, THEN QUIT ALTOGETHER.' ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE ENGINE WERE UNSUCCESSFUL AND THE PLT COMPLETED A POWER-OFF DITCHING AT SEA. HE AND THE PSGR, WHO WAS ALSO AN EXPERIENCED PLT, SAID 'THE ENGINE STOPPED ABRUPTLY AFTER SOME INTERNAL NOISE. THE PROP DID NOT WINDMILL . . . THE STARTER WOULD NOT TURN THE PROPELLER.' AFTER DITCHING, THE ACFT SANK IN ABOUT 300 TO 400 FT OF WATER AND WAS NOT RECOVERED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:16 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna A150K
Tail NumberN8409M
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorRaymond C White
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200-A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 36 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO