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 9, 1985 · Piper PA-28-201T · N2854R
So. Lake Tahoe, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 9, 1985
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Location
So. Lake Tahoe, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-201T
Tail Number
N2854R
Operator
Freeman L Northcott
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX86FA061
PRIOR TO DEPARTING ON A VFR FLT FROM SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA, TO TRACY, CA, THE PLT FAILED TO OBTAIN A WX BRIEFING OR FILE A FLT PLAN. WX AT THE ARPT OF DEPARTURE WAS REPORTED AS SCATTERED CLOUDS AT 1500 FT, BROKEN CEILING CONDITIONS AT AN ESTIMATED 3000 FT, VISIBILITY 20 MILES, TEMP 30 DEGREES F., DEW POINT 16 DEGREES F., WITH LIGHT SNOW FALLING AT THE TIMEOF TAKEOFF. AN ELT SIGNAL WAS RECEIVED BY A SATELLITE AND TRANSPORT ACFT AT APRX 1721 HRS AND WAS REPORTED TO SCOTT AFB ASR CENTER. A CAP ACFT WAS DISPATCHED TO THE REPORTED COORDINATES AND THE ACFT'S WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED AT ABOUT 1100 HRS ON THE MORNING FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT. WX CONDITIONS NEAR THE ACCIDENT SITE WERE FORECAST TO BE OBSCURED WITH PRECIPITATION DURING THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.
Full Narrative
PRIOR TO DEPARTING ON A VFR FLT FROM SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA, TO TRACY, CA, THE PLT FAILED TO OBTAIN A WX BRIEFING OR FILE A FLT PLAN. WX AT THE ARPT OF DEPARTURE WAS REPORTED AS SCATTERED CLOUDS AT 1500 FT, BROKEN CEILING CONDITIONS AT AN ESTIMATED 3000 FT, VISIBILITY 20 MILES, TEMP 30 DEGREES F., DEW POINT 16 DEGREES F., WITH LIGHT SNOW FALLING AT THE TIMEOF TAKEOFF. AN ELT SIGNAL WAS RECEIVED BY A SATELLITE AND TRANSPORT ACFT AT APRX 1721 HRS AND WAS REPORTED TO SCOTT AFB ASR CENTER. A CAP ACFT WAS DISPATCHED TO THE REPORTED COORDINATES AND THE ACFT'S WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED AT ABOUT 1100 HRS ON THE MORNING FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT. WX CONDITIONS NEAR THE ACCIDENT SITE WERE FORECAST TO BE OBSCURED WITH PRECIPITATION DURING THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:45 PST
Nearest Airport10nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-201T
Tail NumberN2854R
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorFreeman L Northcott
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-360-FB · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Fatal3
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 42 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point30 C / 16 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time22:45
Weather SourceWFAC