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
December 20, 1984 · Cessna 172 · N4093F
Hamilton, AL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 20, 1984
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (1 fatality, 2 serious injuries)
Location
Hamilton, AL
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N4093F
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL85FA060
INITIATED NIGHT FLT INTO AREA OF FORECAST AND OBSERVED MARGINAL VFR CONDITIONS. EXPECTED TO ENCOUNTER 1200 FT CEILING. PLT STATED TO FSS BRIEFER HE WOULD GO AS FAR AS HE COULD. ENCOUNTERED AREA OF PATCHY GRND FOG, REDUCED VISIBILITY, NO HORIZON AHEAD. ELECTED TO DESCEND TO 1000 FT MSL AND INITIATE A 180 DEG TURN. STRUCK TREES AT 750 FT MSL. PLT HAD NO ACTUAL INSTRUMENT TRAINING AND APRX 5 HRS OF SIMULATED INSTRUMENT TIME. THE OUTBOARD REAR SEATBELT ATTACHMENT RING ORIENTED REARWARD, FAILED IN BENDING ALLOWING THE REAR SEAT PAX TO BE EJECTED FROM THE ACFT.
Full Narrative
INITIATED NIGHT FLT INTO AREA OF FORECAST AND OBSERVED MARGINAL VFR CONDITIONS. EXPECTED TO ENCOUNTER 1200 FT CEILING. PLT STATED TO FSS BRIEFER HE WOULD GO AS FAR AS HE COULD. ENCOUNTERED AREA OF PATCHY GRND FOG, REDUCED VISIBILITY, NO HORIZON AHEAD. ELECTED TO DESCEND TO 1000 FT MSL AND INITIATE A 180 DEG TURN. STRUCK TREES AT 750 FT MSL. PLT HAD NO ACTUAL INSTRUMENT TRAINING AND APRX 5 HRS OF SIMULATED INSTRUMENT TIME. THE OUTBOARD REAR SEATBELT ATTACHMENT RING ORIENTED REARWARD, FAILED IN BENDING ALLOWING THE REAR SEAT PAX TO BE EJECTED FROM THE ACFT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:15 CST
Nearest AirportMarion County (10nm ENE)
Runway0
Runway Length6500 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN4093F
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300-A · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (1 fatality, 2 serious injuries)
Fatal1
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 32 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time20:15
Weather SourcePILO