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 22, 1984 · Piper PA-32RT-300T PA-32RT-30 · N21596
Chambers Island, WI
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 22, 1984
Injury Outcomes
6 injuries (3 serious injuries, 3 minor injuries)
Location
Chambers Island, WI
Aircraft
Piper PA-32RT-300T PA-32RT-30
Tail Number
N21596
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI85LA056
THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING TAKEOFF UPON REACHING AN ALT OF 8-10 FT AGL A DOWN DRAFT WAS ENCOUNTERED AND THE ACFT CONTACTED THE RWY ON THE RT LANDING GEAR WHICH WAS IN THE TRANSIENT POSITION. HE REPORTED HE WAS ABLE TO REMAIN AIRBORNE BUT THE RATE OF CLIMB WAS SLOW. HE DETERMINED THAT THE TREES SOUTH OF THE APRT COULD NOT BE CLEARED SO HE SLOWED THE ACFT AND LANDED IN THE TREE TOPS. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PLT ACTIVATED THE GEAR OVERRIDE SYSTEM PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. USING SHORT FIELD PROCEDURES THE GEAR RETRACTION PROCESS BEGAN UPON ROTATION RESULTING IN PROPELLER CONTACT WITH THE GROUND.
Full Narrative
THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING TAKEOFF UPON REACHING AN ALT OF 8-10 FT AGL A DOWN DRAFT WAS ENCOUNTERED AND THE ACFT CONTACTED THE RWY ON THE RT LANDING GEAR WHICH WAS IN THE TRANSIENT POSITION. HE REPORTED HE WAS ABLE TO REMAIN AIRBORNE BUT THE RATE OF CLIMB WAS SLOW. HE DETERMINED THAT THE TREES SOUTH OF THE APRT COULD NOT BE CLEARED SO HE SLOWED THE ACFT AND LANDED IN THE TREE TOPS. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PLT ACTIVATED THE GEAR OVERRIDE SYSTEM PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. USING SHORT FIELD PROCEDURES THE GEAR RETRACTION PROCESS BEGAN UPON ROTATION RESULTING IN PROPELLER CONTACT WITH THE GROUND.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:15 CST
Nearest AirportChambers Island (0nm S)
Runway18
Runway Length2500 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-32RT-300T PA-32RT-30
Tail NumberN21596
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TSIO-540-S1AD · Reciprocating · 300
Seats7
People & Injuries
Injury Summary6 injuries (3 serious injuries, 3 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious3
Minor3
Uninjured0
Total6
Crew 1Age 42 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 18 kt
Visibility8 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point28 C / 21 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:51
Weather SourceWFAC