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

April 30, 1983 · Grumman G-164A · N8863H

Weslaco, TX

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 30, 1983
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Weslaco, TX
Aircraft
Grumman G-164A
Tail Number
N8863H
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW83LA213

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, AS HE WAS LINING UP FOR HIS 3RD PASS, HE NOTICED A DROP IN MANIFOLD PRESSURE & LOSS OF POWER. THERE WAS NO RESPONSE TO THROTTLE MOVEMENTS. AFTER 2 ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENG, HE DUMPED HIS LOAD IN AN EFFORT TO COMPLETE A TURN TO A CLEAR AREA. A SET OF TV CABLES & A PAVED ROAD WERE ADJACENT TO THE FIELD IN WHICH THE PLT INTENDED TO LAND. AS HE ATTEMPTED TO CLEAR THE CABLES, THE ACFT STALLED INTO THE WIRES. AFTER HITTING THE WIRES, THE ACFT SPUN AROUND APRX 180 DEG, IMPACTED TAIL 1ST ON THE ROAD & BEGAN BURNING ABOUT 10 TO 15 SEC LATER. THE OPERATOR & A MECHANIC SUSPECTED A POSSIBLE SUPERCHARGER FAILURE. HOWEVER, DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE FIRE DAMAGE, THE REASON FOR THE POWER LOSS WAS NOT DETERMINED.

Full Narrative

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, AS HE WAS LINING UP FOR HIS 3RD PASS, HE NOTICED A DROP IN MANIFOLD PRESSURE & LOSS OF POWER. THERE WAS NO RESPONSE TO THROTTLE MOVEMENTS. AFTER 2 ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENG, HE DUMPED HIS LOAD IN AN EFFORT TO COMPLETE A TURN TO A CLEAR AREA. A SET OF TV CABLES & A PAVED ROAD WERE ADJACENT TO THE FIELD IN WHICH THE PLT INTENDED TO LAND. AS HE ATTEMPTED TO CLEAR THE CABLES, THE ACFT STALLED INTO THE WIRES. AFTER HITTING THE WIRES, THE ACFT SPUN AROUND APRX 180 DEG, IMPACTED TAIL 1ST ON THE ROAD & BEGAN BURNING ABOUT 10 TO 15 SEC LATER. THE OPERATOR & A MECHANIC SUSPECTED A POSSIBLE SUPERCHARGER FAILURE. HOWEVER, DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE FIRE DAMAGE, THE REASON FOR THE POWER LOSS WAS NOT DETERMINED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:30 CDT
Nearest Airport4nm S
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGrumman G-164A
Tail NumberN8863H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R-1340-AN1 · Reciprocating · 600
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 34 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDawn
Wind130° @ 10 kt, gusting 15 kt
Visibility4 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

External Links

Appendix: Source Data