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
November 27, 1984 · Cessna 172M · N12946
Ahoskie, NC
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 27, 1984
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Ahoskie, NC
Aircraft
Cessna 172M
Tail Number
N12946
Operator
Edward T Copeland
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL85LA045
WHILE ON A NIGHT VFR LOCAL AREA FLIGHT THE PILOT NOTICED HAZE OBSCURING THE LIGHTS ON THE GROUND. HE RETURNED TO THE AIRPORT AND ACTIVATED THE REIL LIGHTS, HE LOST SIGHT OF THE LIGHTS AS HE ENTERED THE TRAFFIC PATTERN. DURING THE LEFT TURN TO BASE, HE ENTERED FOG AND BECAME DISORIENTED AND ATTEMPTED A GO-AROUND. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED SOME TREES BUT WAS STILL CONTROLLABLE. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE ANOTHER APPROACH BUT AGAIN BECAME DISORIENTED AND THE ACFTIMPACTED THE GROUND ON THE AIRPORT BUT HEADING ABOUT 120 DEGREES LEFT OF THE INTENDED RWY. THE PILOT REPORTED ONLY 3 HOURS OF SIMULATED INSTRUMENT TIME.
Full Narrative
WHILE ON A NIGHT VFR LOCAL AREA FLIGHT THE PILOT NOTICED HAZE OBSCURING THE LIGHTS ON THE GROUND. HE RETURNED TO THE AIRPORT AND ACTIVATED THE REIL LIGHTS, HE LOST SIGHT OF THE LIGHTS AS HE ENTERED THE TRAFFIC PATTERN. DURING THE LEFT TURN TO BASE, HE ENTERED FOG AND BECAME DISORIENTED AND ATTEMPTED A GO-AROUND. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED SOME TREES BUT WAS STILL CONTROLLABLE. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE ANOTHER APPROACH BUT AGAIN BECAME DISORIENTED AND THE ACFTIMPACTED THE GROUND ON THE AIRPORT BUT HEADING ABOUT 120 DEGREES LEFT OF THE INTENDED RWY. THE PILOT REPORTED ONLY 3 HOURS OF SIMULATED INSTRUMENT TIME.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:30 EST
Nearest AirportTri County (0nm N)
Runway36
Runway Length3950 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172M
Tail NumberN12946
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorEdward T Copeland
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E20 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 31 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 39 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time04:53
Weather SourcePILO