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
May 6, 1984 · Piper PA-28-140 · N5385F
North Andover, MA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 6, 1984
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
North Andover, MA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N5385F
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC84FA159
THE PLT STATED TO POLICE THAT HE WAS POSITIONING THE PROP FOR A PHOTO WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED AND THE AIRPLANE TRAVELED 2500 FT UNATTENDED ACROSS THE ARPT BEFORE IT BECAME AIRBORNE AND STRUCK THE REAR OF A COMMERCIAL BLDG THAT HOUSED THREE BUSINESSES, INCLUDING AN AUTO BODY SHOP. THREE OCCUPANTS OF THE BLDG EVACUATED WITHOUT INJURY. THE AIRPLANE AND BLDG WERE DESTROYED BY IMPACT, EXPLOSION, AND FIRE THAT WAS FED BY ACFT FUEL AND FLAMMABLES IN THE BLDG. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT RVLD THAT THE THROTTLE AND MIXTURE CNTRLS WERE IN THE OPEN POSITION; HOWEVER, EXTENSIVE FIRE DAMAGE PRECLUDED AN EXAM OF THE IGNITION SWITCH, PARKING BRAKE, OR BATTERY. THE CHOCKS AND TIE DOWN ROPES HAD BEEN REMOVED FROM THE ACFT. THE STUDENT PLT/OWNER OF N5385F REFUSED TO MAKE A STATEMENT TO NTSB PERSONNEL.
Full Narrative
THE PLT STATED TO POLICE THAT HE WAS POSITIONING THE PROP FOR A PHOTO WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED AND THE AIRPLANE TRAVELED 2500 FT UNATTENDED ACROSS THE ARPT BEFORE IT BECAME AIRBORNE AND STRUCK THE REAR OF A COMMERCIAL BLDG THAT HOUSED THREE BUSINESSES, INCLUDING AN AUTO BODY SHOP. THREE OCCUPANTS OF THE BLDG EVACUATED WITHOUT INJURY. THE AIRPLANE AND BLDG WERE DESTROYED BY IMPACT, EXPLOSION, AND FIRE THAT WAS FED BY ACFT FUEL AND FLAMMABLES IN THE BLDG. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT RVLD THAT THE THROTTLE AND MIXTURE CNTRLS WERE IN THE OPEN POSITION; HOWEVER, EXTENSIVE FIRE DAMAGE PRECLUDED AN EXAM OF THE IGNITION SWITCH, PARKING BRAKE, OR BATTERY. THE CHOCKS AND TIE DOWN ROPES HAD BEEN REMOVED FROM THE ACFT. THE STUDENT PLT/OWNER OF N5385F REFUSED TO MAKE A STATEMENT TO NTSB PERSONNEL.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:27 EDT
Nearest AirportLawrence Muni (1nm SE)
Runway14
Runway Length3900 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN5385F
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E30 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 50 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 6 kt
Visibility35 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time22:27
Weather SourceWFAC