NTSB Reports
Aviation Safety Intelligence
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.

Get the iPhone App
63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open 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…

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 manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

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

January 8, 1983 · Luscombe 8E · N1860K

Elba, AL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 8, 1983
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Elba, AL
Aircraft
Luscombe 8E
Tail Number
N1860K
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL83FKJ02

THE PLT HAD RECEIVED A WX BRIEFING APRX 4 HRS BEFORE DEPARTURE. HE STATED THAT ON ARRIVAL, THE ARPT BEACON LIGHT WAS NOT ON & PATCHES OF GROUND FOG WERE IN THE AREA. DURING THE ARRIVAL, HE APPROACHED FROM THE SOUTH, FLEW NORTH OVER THE ARPT, CIRCLED TO THE SOUTHWEST, THEN TURNED ON A SHORT FINAL FOR RWY 01. HE STATED THAT DURING THE TURN TO FINAL, HE NOTICED THAT THE LIGHTS TO A CONVENIENCE STORE NEAR THE NORTH END OF THE RWY WERE NOT ON, AND THOUGHT THIS WAS ODD, SINCE HE WAS TO MEET SOMEONE THERE AT 0500. AT ABOUT THE TIME HE LEVELED HIS WINGS ON FINAL APPROACH, THE RIGHT WING OF THE ACFT STRUCK A TALL TREE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CRASHED IN A WOODED AREA & CAME TO REST APRX 100 YDS FROM THE RWY.

Full Narrative

THE PLT HAD RECEIVED A WX BRIEFING APRX 4 HRS BEFORE DEPARTURE. HE STATED THAT ON ARRIVAL, THE ARPT BEACON LIGHT WAS NOT ON & PATCHES OF GROUND FOG WERE IN THE AREA. DURING THE ARRIVAL, HE APPROACHED FROM THE SOUTH, FLEW NORTH OVER THE ARPT, CIRCLED TO THE SOUTHWEST, THEN TURNED ON A SHORT FINAL FOR RWY 01. HE STATED THAT DURING THE TURN TO FINAL, HE NOTICED THAT THE LIGHTS TO A CONVENIENCE STORE NEAR THE NORTH END OF THE RWY WERE NOT ON, AND THOUGHT THIS WAS ODD, SINCE HE WAS TO MEET SOMEONE THERE AT 0500. AT ABOUT THE TIME HE LEVELED HIS WINGS ON FINAL APPROACH, THE RIGHT WING OF THE ACFT STRUCK A TALL TREE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CRASHED IN A WOODED AREA & CAME TO REST APRX 100 YDS FROM THE RWY.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time05:15 CST
Nearest AirportCarl Folsom (1nm S)
Runway1
Runway Length3000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftLuscombe 8E
Tail NumberN1860K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-85 · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 28 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility1 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point48 / 45 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

External Links

Appendix: Source Data