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 4, 1985 · Piper PA-23-250 · N6726Y

Santa Barbara, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 4, 1985
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Santa Barbara, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-23-250
Tail Number
N6726Y
Injuries
Fatal
NTSB Number
LAX86LA008

ON OCT. 3, 1985, PIPTER PA-23-250 CRASHED INTO THE PACIFIC OCEAN WHILE ON AN AIR SAMPLING FLT NEAR SANTA BARBARA, CA. THE AC WAS DESTROYED AND THE TWO PLTS WERE FATALLY INJURED. THE FLT WAS TO BE FLOWN ALONG A PREDERMINED ROUTE UTILIZING LORAN NAVAIDS. THE AC OPERATOR WAS SURE THE WAY PLTS WERE CORRECT AND WERE ENTERED PROPERLY. THE AC WAS IN RADIO CONTACT WITH SANTA BARBARA APPROACH CONTROL AND REPORTED NO DIFFICULTIES. A REVIEW OF THIS INFO BY THE OPERATOR INDICATED THE AC WAS ON COURSE AS SCHEDULED.

Full Narrative

ON OCT. 3, 1985, PIPTER PA-23-250 CRASHED INTO THE PACIFIC OCEAN WHILE ON AN AIR SAMPLING FLT NEAR SANTA BARBARA, CA. THE AC WAS DESTROYED AND THE TWO PLTS WERE FATALLY INJURED. THE FLT WAS TO BE FLOWN ALONG A PREDERMINED ROUTE UTILIZING LORAN NAVAIDS. THE AC OPERATOR WAS SURE THE WAY PLTS WERE CORRECT AND WERE ENTERED PROPERLY. THE AC WAS IN RADIO CONTACT WITH SANTA BARBARA APPROACH CONTROL AND REPORTED NO DIFFICULTIES. A REVIEW OF THIS INFO BY THE OPERATOR INDICATED THE AC WAS ON COURSE AS SCHEDULED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:40 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireUnknown
Aircraft ExplosionUnknown

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-23-250
Tail NumberN6726Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-C4B5 · Reciprocating · 250
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 62 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 45 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time04:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data