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 2, 1985 · Raven AX-9 · N4196N
Blaine, MN
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 2, 1985
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries), 5 uninjured
Location
Blaine, MN
Aircraft
Raven AX-9
Tail Number
N4196N
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI85LA367
THE ONE HOUR BALLOON SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT WAS UNEVENTFUL. DURING HIS APPROACH TO LAND IN A CLEAR AREA HE DECIDED THAT HIS FORWARD VELOCITY WAS TOO HIGH TO LAND WITHOUT HITTING HOUSES OR POWERLINES BELOW THE BALLOON. ACCORDING TO HIM HE BURNED FUEL TO ATTEMPT A LEVEL OFF BUT DIDN'T BURN ENOUGH FUEL TO ARREST HIS DESCENT COMPLETELY. THE BALLOON STRUCK A MAPLE TREE AND THE GONDOLA MOMENTARILY BECAME CAUGHT ON A BRANCH. THE BRANCH GAVE WAY AND THE GONDOLA FELL TO THE GROUND HARD ENOUGH TO SERIOUSLY INJURE TWO OF THE SEVEN BALLOON OCCUPANTS.
Full Narrative
THE ONE HOUR BALLOON SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT WAS UNEVENTFUL. DURING HIS APPROACH TO LAND IN A CLEAR AREA HE DECIDED THAT HIS FORWARD VELOCITY WAS TOO HIGH TO LAND WITHOUT HITTING HOUSES OR POWERLINES BELOW THE BALLOON. ACCORDING TO HIM HE BURNED FUEL TO ATTEMPT A LEVEL OFF BUT DIDN'T BURN ENOUGH FUEL TO ARREST HIS DESCENT COMPLETELY. THE BALLOON STRUCK A MAPLE TREE AND THE GONDOLA MOMENTARILY BECAME CAUGHT ON A BRANCH. THE BRANCH GAVE WAY AND THE GONDOLA FELL TO THE GROUND HARD ENOUGH TO SERIOUSLY INJURE TWO OF THE SEVEN BALLOON OCCUPANTS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:10 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftRaven AX-9
Tail NumberN4196N
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsNone · NONE · Unknown
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries), 5 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured5
Total7
Crew 1Age 35 · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind110° @ 7 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingOvercast 4000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO