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
December 14, 1985 · Cessna 206 · N5173U
Hardin, MT
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 14, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Hardin, MT
Aircraft
Cessna 206
Tail Number
N5173U
Operator
Reid a Willey
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN86LA046
AFTER LDG TO THE EAST ON A SNOW COVERED DIRT RWY, THE PILOT ELECTED TO T/O ON AN INTERSECTING RWY TO THE SOUTH. HE COULD NOT SEE THE ENTIRE RWY SURFACE FROM THE POSITION DUE TO DWN SLOPE FROM CENTER OF RWY. THE ACFT IMPACTED SNOWDRIFTS 40-50 MPH ON T/O GND ROLL IN THE UNOBSERVED PORTION OF RWY, DEPARTED RT SIDE OF RWY DOWN 30 DEGREES SLOPING TERRAIN, AND CRASHED IN DEEP SNOW.
Full Narrative
AFTER LDG TO THE EAST ON A SNOW COVERED DIRT RWY, THE PILOT ELECTED TO T/O ON AN INTERSECTING RWY TO THE SOUTH. HE COULD NOT SEE THE ENTIRE RWY SURFACE FROM THE POSITION DUE TO DWN SLOPE FROM CENTER OF RWY. THE ACFT IMPACTED SNOWDRIFTS 40-50 MPH ON T/O GND ROLL IN THE UNOBSERVED PORTION OF RWY, DEPARTED RT SIDE OF RWY DOWN 30 DEGREES SLOPING TERRAIN, AND CRASHED IN DEEP SNOW.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:30 MST
Nearest AirportJIPCREEK (0nm N)
Runway18
Runway Length1400 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 206
Tail NumberN5173U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorReid a Willey
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO 520A · Reciprocating · 285
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 43 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind10 kt
Visibility100 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point39 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO