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 28, 1985 · Smith Ted Aerostar Aerostar 601P Aerostar 6 · N90342
Wrightstown, NJ
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 28, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Wrightstown, NJ
Aircraft
Smith Ted Aerostar Aerostar 601P Aerostar 6
Tail Number
N90342
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC85LA226
DURING AN ENROUTE CLIMB THE PILOT NOTICED A MANIFOLD PRESSURE LOSS ON THE LEFT ENGINE. OIL PRESSURE AND TEMP GAUGES WENT OFF AND THE LEFT ENGINE WAS SECURED BY THE PIILOT. DURING SHUTDOWN A PASSENGER INFORMED THE PILOT THAT THE LEFT WING WAS TURNING BROWN. PILOT MADE RAPID DESCENT AND EMERGENCY LANDING AT AIR FORCE BASE. INSPECTION REVEALED THAT TAILPIPE HAD BROKEN AND ROTATED OUT OF RELATIVE POSITION ALLOWING HOT EXHAUST GAS TO START FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FIRE WAS PROGRESSING AFT TOWARD MAIN WING SPAR.THERE HAVE BEEN TWELVE SIMILAR OCCURRENCES REPORTED ON THIS TAILPIPE ASSEMBLY TO DATE.
Full Narrative
DURING AN ENROUTE CLIMB THE PILOT NOTICED A MANIFOLD PRESSURE LOSS ON THE LEFT ENGINE. OIL PRESSURE AND TEMP GAUGES WENT OFF AND THE LEFT ENGINE WAS SECURED BY THE PIILOT. DURING SHUTDOWN A PASSENGER INFORMED THE PILOT THAT THE LEFT WING WAS TURNING BROWN. PILOT MADE RAPID DESCENT AND EMERGENCY LANDING AT AIR FORCE BASE. INSPECTION REVEALED THAT TAILPIPE HAD BROKEN AND ROTATED OUT OF RELATIVE POSITION ALLOWING HOT EXHAUST GAS TO START FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FIRE WAS PROGRESSING AFT TOWARD MAIN WING SPAR.THERE HAVE BEEN TWELVE SIMILAR OCCURRENCES REPORTED ON THIS TAILPIPE ASSEMBLY TO DATE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:30 EDT
Nearest AirportMcguire Afb (0nm N)
Runway18
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireIflt
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftSmith Ted Aerostar Aerostar 601P Aerostar 6
Tail NumberN90342
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-S1A5 · Reciprocating · 290
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 35 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind225° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time20:30
Weather SourcePILO