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
October 1, 1985 · Cessna 172 · N2765U
Chapel Hill, NC
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 1, 1985
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Chapel Hill, NC
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N2765U
Operator
Gilbert Webb
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL86FA001
N2765U CRASHED SHORTLY AFTER MAKING A LOW PASS OVER A PRIVATE AIR STRIP NEAR CHAPEL HILL. THE AIRCRAFT WAS SEEN IN A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE PRIOR TO IMPACTING A TREE ABOUT 40 ABOVE THE GROUND. THE AIRCRAFT ALSO COLLIDED WITH A POWER TRANSMISSION LINE. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE AND BURNED. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY SYSTEM MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE.
Full Narrative
N2765U CRASHED SHORTLY AFTER MAKING A LOW PASS OVER A PRIVATE AIR STRIP NEAR CHAPEL HILL. THE AIRCRAFT WAS SEEN IN A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE PRIOR TO IMPACTING A TREE ABOUT 40 ABOVE THE GROUND. THE AIRCRAFT ALSO COLLIDED WITH A POWER TRANSMISSION LINE. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE AND BURNED. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY SYSTEM MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:20 EDT
Nearest AirportHOGAN (0nm N)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN2765U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorGilbert Webb
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300 SER · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 60 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind130° @ 7 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:50
Weather SourceWFAC