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 21, 1985 · Cessna 140 · N3587V
Coy, AR
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 21, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Coy, AR
Aircraft
Cessna 140
Tail Number
N3587V
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MKC86LA038
THE PILOT REPORTS THAT THE ENGINE OF N3587V WAS RUN AT IDLE FOR AN EXTENDED TIME BEFORE THE TAKEOFF WAS ATTEMPTED.AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES, THE ENGINE DIED. IT WAS RESTARTED AND THE TAKEOFF WAS COMMENCED IMMEDIATELY. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING ROUGH DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL BUT THE ROLL WAS CONTINUED. THE AIRCRAFT ACCELERATED TO NEAR TAKEOFF SPEED BUT WHEN LIFT OFF WAS ATTEMPTED THE AIRCRAFT WOULD NOT FLY. THE PILOT DECIDED TO ABORT AND DURING THE ABORT THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED SOFT TERRAIN BESIDE THE RUNWAY AND NOSED OVER. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT ALL SPARK PLUGS HAD CARBON DEPOSITS AND THE TOP PLUG ON ONE CYLINDER HAD A BENT GROUND ELECTRODE THAT WAS CONTACTING THE CENTER ELECTRODE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OPERATING ON AUTO FUEL BUT WAS NOT MODIFIED FOR USE OF THE FUEL.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT REPORTS THAT THE ENGINE OF N3587V WAS RUN AT IDLE FOR AN EXTENDED TIME BEFORE THE TAKEOFF WAS ATTEMPTED.AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES, THE ENGINE DIED. IT WAS RESTARTED AND THE TAKEOFF WAS COMMENCED IMMEDIATELY. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING ROUGH DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL BUT THE ROLL WAS CONTINUED. THE AIRCRAFT ACCELERATED TO NEAR TAKEOFF SPEED BUT WHEN LIFT OFF WAS ATTEMPTED THE AIRCRAFT WOULD NOT FLY. THE PILOT DECIDED TO ABORT AND DURING THE ABORT THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED SOFT TERRAIN BESIDE THE RUNWAY AND NOSED OVER. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT ALL SPARK PLUGS HAD CARBON DEPOSITS AND THE TOP PLUG ON ONE CYLINDER HAD A BENT GROUND ELECTRODE THAT WAS CONTACTING THE CENTER ELECTRODE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OPERATING ON AUTO FUEL BUT WAS NOT MODIFIED FOR USE OF THE FUEL.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 CST
Nearest AirportBENNETT (0nm N)
Runway27
Runway Length1700 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 140
Tail NumberN3587V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C85-12 · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 36 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 5 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point41 C / 27 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:00
Weather SourceWFAC