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 17, 1985 · Piper J3 C-65 · N6566H
Grand Canyon, AZ
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 17, 1985
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Grand Canyon, AZ
Aircraft
Piper J3 C-65
Tail Number
N6566H
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX85LA405
AFTER DEPARTING PIERCE FERRY, AZ THE PLT AND HIS PASSENGER FLEW EAST, UP THE COLORADO RIVER, AT A LOW LEVEL TOWARDS KANAB POINT. THE PLT'S NOTES AND CHARTS SHOW THAT THE FLT WAS TO TURN NORTH FOR APRX 40 NM, WITH A REFUELING STOP AT KANAB, UT. THE BRIGHT YELLOW ACFT WAS LAST OBSERVED, BY HELICOPTER TOUR PLTS, LOW IN THE CANYON, HEADING EAST APRX 10 NMEAST OF KANAB POINT. A FLT PLAN WAS NOT FILED AND NO ONE WAS AWARE OF THE MISSING ACFT. THE PLT'S FAMILY NOTIFIED FAA PERSONNEL THE ACFT WAS MISSING FOUR DAYS AFTER IT'S FATAL FLT. AN UNSUCCESFUL AERIAL SEARCH WAS CONDUCTED. A MILITARY HELICOPTER LOCATED THE MISSING WRECKAGE IN A NARROW CANYON APRX 3 NM EAST OF THE POINT AT WHICH IT WAS LAST SEEN 13 DAYS AFTER IT CRASHED INTO THE CANYON WALL.
Full Narrative
AFTER DEPARTING PIERCE FERRY, AZ THE PLT AND HIS PASSENGER FLEW EAST, UP THE COLORADO RIVER, AT A LOW LEVEL TOWARDS KANAB POINT. THE PLT'S NOTES AND CHARTS SHOW THAT THE FLT WAS TO TURN NORTH FOR APRX 40 NM, WITH A REFUELING STOP AT KANAB, UT. THE BRIGHT YELLOW ACFT WAS LAST OBSERVED, BY HELICOPTER TOUR PLTS, LOW IN THE CANYON, HEADING EAST APRX 10 NMEAST OF KANAB POINT. A FLT PLAN WAS NOT FILED AND NO ONE WAS AWARE OF THE MISSING ACFT. THE PLT'S FAMILY NOTIFIED FAA PERSONNEL THE ACFT WAS MISSING FOUR DAYS AFTER IT'S FATAL FLT. AN UNSUCCESFUL AERIAL SEARCH WAS CONDUCTED. A MILITARY HELICOPTER LOCATED THE MISSING WRECKAGE IN A NARROW CANYON APRX 3 NM EAST OF THE POINT AT WHICH IT WAS LAST SEEN 13 DAYS AFTER IT CRASHED INTO THE CANYON WALL.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:30 MST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper J3 C-65
Tail NumberN6566H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-85 · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 55 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 12 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point34 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourceWFAC