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
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open 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…

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 manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

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 3, 1985 · Grumman American AA-5 · N9629U

Hurricane, WV

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 3, 1985
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Location
Hurricane, WV
Aircraft
Grumman American AA-5
Tail Number
N9629U
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL86FA002

N9629U CRASHED IN A WOODED AREA NEAR HURRICANE, WEST VIRGINIA WHILE CONDUCTING A VISUAL FLIGHT FROM MILLWOOD, WV TO GRUNDY, VIRGINIA. THE PILOT AND AIRCRAFT WERE CERTIFICATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH CURRENT FARS. THE PILOT RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING FOR THE INTENDED ROUTE OF FLIGHT. THE LOWEST CONDITION REPORTED WAS 400 FOOT CEILING WITH SCATTERED CLOUDS IN WEST VIRGINIA. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AND BURNED AFTER STRIKING THE GROUND. THE WRECKAGE SITE WAS SMALL AND THE SWATH THROUGH THE TREES WAS NARROW. THE INVESTIGATION FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY MATERIAL OR SYSTEM MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. THE PILOT WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.

Full Narrative

N9629U CRASHED IN A WOODED AREA NEAR HURRICANE, WEST VIRGINIA WHILE CONDUCTING A VISUAL FLIGHT FROM MILLWOOD, WV TO GRUNDY, VIRGINIA. THE PILOT AND AIRCRAFT WERE CERTIFICATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH CURRENT FARS. THE PILOT RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING FOR THE INTENDED ROUTE OF FLIGHT. THE LOWEST CONDITION REPORTED WAS 400 FOOT CEILING WITH SCATTERED CLOUDS IN WEST VIRGINIA. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AND BURNED AFTER STRIKING THE GROUND. THE WRECKAGE SITE WAS SMALL AND THE SWATH THROUGH THE TREES WAS NARROW. THE INVESTIGATION FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY MATERIAL OR SYSTEM MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. THE PILOT WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:45 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGrumman American AA-5
Tail NumberN9629U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-L2C · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Fatal4
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 46 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility4 sm
CeilingOvercast 400 ft
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 52
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data