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
November 18, 1985 · Piper PA 28-151 · N43602
Lebec, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 18, 1985
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Lebec, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA 28-151
Tail Number
N43602
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX86FA042
AFTER RECEIVING A PREFLIGHT WX BRIEFING THAT FORECAST STRONG HEADWINDS, OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, SEVERE TURBULENCE AND PIREPS OF SEVERE TURBULENCE ON THE PROPOSED FLT ROUTE. THE INSTRUCTOR PLT AND HIS STUDENT INSTRUMENT PLT TOOK OFF FOR A NIGHT IFR TRAINING FLT. THE ACFT ENTERED A MOUNTAIN WAVE AND DESCENDED INTO A MOUNTAIN. ALTHOUGH ANOTHER ACFT IN THE AREA SUGGESTED THE DESCENDING ACFT MAKE A 180 TURN THERE WAS NO EFFORT ON THE PART OF THE PLT TO MANEUVER THE ACFT OUT OF THE WAVE OR THE ARTCC CONTROLLER TO DIRECT THE ACFT TO REVERSE COURSE.
Full Narrative
AFTER RECEIVING A PREFLIGHT WX BRIEFING THAT FORECAST STRONG HEADWINDS, OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, SEVERE TURBULENCE AND PIREPS OF SEVERE TURBULENCE ON THE PROPOSED FLT ROUTE. THE INSTRUCTOR PLT AND HIS STUDENT INSTRUMENT PLT TOOK OFF FOR A NIGHT IFR TRAINING FLT. THE ACFT ENTERED A MOUNTAIN WAVE AND DESCENDED INTO A MOUNTAIN. ALTHOUGH ANOTHER ACFT IN THE AREA SUGGESTED THE DESCENDING ACFT MAKE A 180 TURN THERE WAS NO EFFORT ON THE PART OF THE PLT TO MANEUVER THE ACFT OUT OF THE WAVE OR THE ARTCC CONTROLLER TO DIRECT THE ACFT TO REVERSE COURSE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:55 PST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA 28-151
Tail NumberN43602
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E3D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 39 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightBright Night
Wind50° @ 7 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingOvercast 4500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 43 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourceWFAC