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
April 2, 1983 · Cessna 172N · N734ZR
Cuero, TX
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 2, 1983
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Location
Cuero, TX
Aircraft
Cessna 172N
Tail Number
N734ZR
Operator
Dewayne Overholfer
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW83FA176
THE NON-RATED PLT HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY EMPLOYED BY THE OPERATOR & KNEW WHERE THE KEYS OF THE ACFT HAD BEEN KEPT. HE HAD NO KNOWN FLIGHT TRAINING, BUT HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN A PASSENGER IN THE ACFT ON AT LEAST ONE OCASION. HE TOOK THE ACFT WITHOUT PERMISSION, PRESUMABLY TO TAKE TWO FRIENDS ON A JOY RIDE. DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL & INITIAL CLIMB, THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO ENTER A STEEP NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE. THE ACFT THEN WENT INTO A STEEP, SLOW SPEED TURN, ENTERED A NEAR VERTICAL, SPINNING DIVE, CRASHED INTO A LARGE METAL BUILDING & BURNED. THE WIND WAS REPORTED TO BE FROM THE NORTH AT 10 GUSTING 25 KTS.
Full Narrative
THE NON-RATED PLT HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY EMPLOYED BY THE OPERATOR & KNEW WHERE THE KEYS OF THE ACFT HAD BEEN KEPT. HE HAD NO KNOWN FLIGHT TRAINING, BUT HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN A PASSENGER IN THE ACFT ON AT LEAST ONE OCASION. HE TOOK THE ACFT WITHOUT PERMISSION, PRESUMABLY TO TAKE TWO FRIENDS ON A JOY RIDE. DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL & INITIAL CLIMB, THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO ENTER A STEEP NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE. THE ACFT THEN WENT INTO A STEEP, SLOW SPEED TURN, ENTERED A NEAR VERTICAL, SPINNING DIVE, CRASHED INTO A LARGE METAL BUILDING & BURNED. THE WIND WAS REPORTED TO BE FROM THE NORTH AT 10 GUSTING 25 KTS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 CST
Nearest AirportCUERO (0nm N)
Runway32
Runway Length2800 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172N
Tail NumberN734ZR
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorDewayne Overholfer
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A1A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Fatal3
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 23 · Unknown
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 10 kt, gusting 25 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 10 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT