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
October 3, 1984 · Piper J3C-65 · N38685
Milledgeville, GA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 3, 1984
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Milledgeville, GA
Aircraft
Piper J3C-65
Tail Number
N38685
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL85LA001
THE PLT DEPARTED FOR THE INTENDED DESTINATION, BUT WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE ARPT DUE TO FOG. AFTER LANDING AT ANOTHER NEARBY ARPT, HE FOUND NO AV-GAS AVAILABLE. HE THEN ELECTED TO RETURN TO HIS ORIGINAL DESTINATION, BUT EXPERIENCED A TOTAL POWER LOSS DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION APRX 7 MI SHORT OF THE ARPT. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A PLOWED FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE NOSE GEAR WHEEL SANK IN SOFT SOIL & THE ACFT NOSED OVER. THE ELAPSED TIME FROM INITIAL TAKEOFF UNTIL THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED WAS 45 MIN. THE PLT ESTIMATED HIS FUEL REMAINING AT THE TIME OF INITIAL TAKEOFF TO BE 72 MINUTES.
Full Narrative
THE PLT DEPARTED FOR THE INTENDED DESTINATION, BUT WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE ARPT DUE TO FOG. AFTER LANDING AT ANOTHER NEARBY ARPT, HE FOUND NO AV-GAS AVAILABLE. HE THEN ELECTED TO RETURN TO HIS ORIGINAL DESTINATION, BUT EXPERIENCED A TOTAL POWER LOSS DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION APRX 7 MI SHORT OF THE ARPT. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A PLOWED FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE NOSE GEAR WHEEL SANK IN SOFT SOIL & THE ACFT NOSED OVER. THE ELAPSED TIME FROM INITIAL TAKEOFF UNTIL THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED WAS 45 MIN. THE PLT ESTIMATED HIS FUEL REMAINING AT THE TIME OF INITIAL TAKEOFF TO BE 72 MINUTES.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 EDT
Nearest AirportBaldwin City (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper J3C-65
Tail NumberN38685
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · A-65 · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 61 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time10:00
Weather SourcePILO