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
September 11, 1985 · Cessna 404 · N128SP
Hayesville, NC
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 11, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Hayesville, NC
Aircraft
Cessna 404
Tail Number
N128SP
Operator
Opex Aviation
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL85LA273
FISHERMAN HEARD AN AIRCRAFT OVERHEAD BUT DID NOT SEE ANY SIGN OF IT IN THE NIGHT SKY. SHORTLY THEREAFTER THEY SAW A FLASH AND FIRE ON THE SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN, THEN THEY HEARD THE EXPLOSION. THE SHERIFF WAS CALLED AND AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED A CRASHED AIRCRAFT. THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF OCCUPANTS IN OR NEAR THE AIRCRAFT. THE NEXT MORNING THE BODY OF A HEAVILY ARMED MAN WHO HAD ON A PARACHUTE AND A DEPLOYED RESERVE PARACHUTE WAS FOUND SEVERAL MILES AWAY IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. A KEY TO THE CRASHED AIRCRAFT WAS FOUND ON THE BODY.
Full Narrative
FISHERMAN HEARD AN AIRCRAFT OVERHEAD BUT DID NOT SEE ANY SIGN OF IT IN THE NIGHT SKY. SHORTLY THEREAFTER THEY SAW A FLASH AND FIRE ON THE SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN, THEN THEY HEARD THE EXPLOSION. THE SHERIFF WAS CALLED AND AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED A CRASHED AIRCRAFT. THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF OCCUPANTS IN OR NEAR THE AIRCRAFT. THE NEXT MORNING THE BODY OF A HEAVILY ARMED MAN WHO HAD ON A PARACHUTE AND A DEPLOYED RESERVE PARACHUTE WAS FOUND SEVERAL MILES AWAY IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. A KEY TO THE CRASHED AIRCRAFT WAS FOUND ON THE BODY.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time01:05 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 404
Tail NumberN128SP
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorOpex Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · GTSIO-520-M · Reciprocating · 375
Seats5
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Unknown
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind200° @ 7 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 66 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time04:51
Weather SourceWFAC