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
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

April 5, 1983 · Cessna 172 · N8253U

Spartanburg, SC

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 5, 1983
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 2 uninjured
Location
Spartanburg, SC
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N8253U
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL83FA150

ACCORDING TO THE PLT'S SON, WHO WAS A PASSENGER, THE PLT HAD MADE A FINAL APPROACH LINEUP ON THE WRONG SET OF LIGHTS. REALIZING THE MISTAKE, THE PLT INITIATED A GO-AROUND AT APRX 200 FT AGL. HOWEVER, THE ENG LOST POWER. DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING AT NIGHT, THE PLT SAW POWER LINES & PULLED THE NOSE UP TO AVOID A COLLISION, BUT WAS TOO LATE. THE STALL WARNING HORN SOUNDED & THE ACFT CRASHED IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. A POWER LINE WAS FOUND WRAPPED AROUND THE FUSELAGE & TAIL SECTION. APRX 7 GAL OF FUEL WAS REMAINING. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT & SUBSYSTEMS FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY PREIMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. THE ACFT HAD BEEN RETROFITTED WITH FRONT SEAT SHOULDER RESTRAINT SYSTEMS. DESPITE THE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE OF THE AFCT, WHICH INCLUDED REARWARD DISPLACEMENT OF THE ENG, THE PLT RECEIVED ONLY FACIAL INJURIES & THE PASSENGERS RECEIVED ONLY MINOR TO NO INJURIES. THE TEMP & DEW POINT WERE 50 & 38 DEG. ICING PROBABILITY CHARTS INDICATED CARB ICING WAS POSSIBLE, BUT THE POSITON OF CARB HEAT ON FINAL, NOT VERIFIED.

Full Narrative

ACCORDING TO THE PLT'S SON, WHO WAS A PASSENGER, THE PLT HAD MADE A FINAL APPROACH LINEUP ON THE WRONG SET OF LIGHTS. REALIZING THE MISTAKE, THE PLT INITIATED A GO-AROUND AT APRX 200 FT AGL. HOWEVER, THE ENG LOST POWER. DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING AT NIGHT, THE PLT SAW POWER LINES & PULLED THE NOSE UP TO AVOID A COLLISION, BUT WAS TOO LATE. THE STALL WARNING HORN SOUNDED & THE ACFT CRASHED IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. A POWER LINE WAS FOUND WRAPPED AROUND THE FUSELAGE & TAIL SECTION. APRX 7 GAL OF FUEL WAS REMAINING. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT & SUBSYSTEMS FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY PREIMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. THE ACFT HAD BEEN RETROFITTED WITH FRONT SEAT SHOULDER RESTRAINT SYSTEMS. DESPITE THE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE OF THE AFCT, WHICH INCLUDED REARWARD DISPLACEMENT OF THE ENG, THE PLT RECEIVED ONLY FACIAL INJURIES & THE PASSENGERS RECEIVED ONLY MINOR TO NO INJURIES. THE TEMP & DEW POINT WERE 50 & 38 DEG. ICING PROBABILITY CHARTS INDICATED CARB ICING WAS POSSIBLE, BUT THE POSITON OF CARB HEAT ON FINAL, NOT VERIFIED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:50 EST
Nearest AirportSpartanburg Downtown (0nm N)
Runway22
Runway Length5203 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN8253U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-300-D · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 2 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total3
Crew 1Age 41 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 37 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time02:52

Appendix: Source Data