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
August 4, 1984 · Piper PA-28-160 · N5086W
Palmyra, WI
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 4, 1984
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (1 fatality, 2 serious injuries)
Location
Palmyra, WI
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-160
Tail Number
N5086W
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI84LA338
WHILE ON A PERSONAL FLT THE ENG AND AIRFRAME BEGAN TO VIBRATE SEVERELY. THE PLT CLOSED THE THROTTLE AND TURNED EASTWARD TO LAND IN A MINT FIELD. AS HE APPROACHED THE FIELD HE APPLIED POWER TO CLEAR A ROW OF SMALL HOUSES, BUT DURING THIS MANEUVER STRUCK A UTILITY POLE WITH THE RT WING. THE PASSENGERS RELATED THAT THE POLE WAS ON THE FAR SIDE OF THE HOUSES AND NOT SEEN BY ANYONE ON BOARD UNTIL JUST BEFORE IMPACT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT ABOUT 6 INCHES OF ONE PROPELLER TIP WAS MISSING. EXAMINATION OF THE PROPELLER REVEALED EXISTING NICKS AND ROUGH FILE WORK ON PREVIOUS NICKS. A FATIGUE FAILURE ORIGINATED FROM ONE OF THE NICKS.
Full Narrative
WHILE ON A PERSONAL FLT THE ENG AND AIRFRAME BEGAN TO VIBRATE SEVERELY. THE PLT CLOSED THE THROTTLE AND TURNED EASTWARD TO LAND IN A MINT FIELD. AS HE APPROACHED THE FIELD HE APPLIED POWER TO CLEAR A ROW OF SMALL HOUSES, BUT DURING THIS MANEUVER STRUCK A UTILITY POLE WITH THE RT WING. THE PASSENGERS RELATED THAT THE POLE WAS ON THE FAR SIDE OF THE HOUSES AND NOT SEEN BY ANYONE ON BOARD UNTIL JUST BEFORE IMPACT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT ABOUT 6 INCHES OF ONE PROPELLER TIP WAS MISSING. EXAMINATION OF THE PROPELLER REVEALED EXISTING NICKS AND ROUGH FILE WORK ON PREVIOUS NICKS. A FATIGUE FAILURE ORIGINATED FROM ONE OF THE NICKS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:27 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-160
Tail NumberN5086W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-B2B · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (1 fatality, 2 serious injuries)
Fatal1
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 54 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingOvercast 5000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT