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 14, 1985 · Pitts Spl S-1 · N74LF
Mclean, TX
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 14, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Mclean, TX
Aircraft
Pitts Spl S-1
Tail Number
N74LF
Operator
Patrick Blake Sterling
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW85FA346
THE PLT HAD LANDED THE PITTS SPECIAL ON THE HIGHWAY DUE TO LOW FUEL. AFTER THE FUEL SERVICE THE ACFT TOOK OFF AND THE PLT PERFORMED LOW ALTITUDE ACROBATICS THEN DEPARTED MAKING SLOW ROLLS BELOW A LOW OVERCAST. A WITNESS OBSERVED THE ACFT FLYING LOW OVER THE HIGHWAY GOING TOWARD RISING TERRAIN TOWARD AMARILLO. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED IN A FIELD. THE ACFT HAD EVIDENTLY STALLED WHILE IN THE LOW OVERCAST AFTER INADVERTENT ENTRY BY THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PLT. EVIDENCE INDICATED THE ACFT HAD CONTINUED A SPINNING MANEUVER UNTIL SURFACE IMPACT. NO EVIDENCE OBSERVED OF ACFT OR ENGINE MALFUNCTION.
Full Narrative
THE PLT HAD LANDED THE PITTS SPECIAL ON THE HIGHWAY DUE TO LOW FUEL. AFTER THE FUEL SERVICE THE ACFT TOOK OFF AND THE PLT PERFORMED LOW ALTITUDE ACROBATICS THEN DEPARTED MAKING SLOW ROLLS BELOW A LOW OVERCAST. A WITNESS OBSERVED THE ACFT FLYING LOW OVER THE HIGHWAY GOING TOWARD RISING TERRAIN TOWARD AMARILLO. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED IN A FIELD. THE ACFT HAD EVIDENTLY STALLED WHILE IN THE LOW OVERCAST AFTER INADVERTENT ENTRY BY THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PLT. EVIDENCE INDICATED THE ACFT HAD CONTINUED A SPINNING MANEUVER UNTIL SURFACE IMPACT. NO EVIDENCE OBSERVED OF ACFT OR ENGINE MALFUNCTION.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPitts Spl S-1
Tail NumberN74LF
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorPatrick Blake Sterling
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · I0320C1A · Reciprocating · 160
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 28 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsUnknown
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility1 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time18:35
Weather SourceWFAC