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
May 22, 1983 · Parson Bensen · UNREG
Tavares, FL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 22, 1983
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Tavares, FL
Aircraft
Parson Bensen
Tail Number
UNREG
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA83FA144
THE GYROCOPTER DESCENDED TO THE LAKE IN AN UNCONTROLLED MANEUVER AND CRASHED. THE PLT WAS ON HIS 2ND FLT IN THE ACFT AND HAD BEEN TOLD TO LIMIT HIS CLIMB TO 10-15 FT AGL BY THE BUILDER OF THE GYROCOPTER. THE PLT CLIMBED TO ABOUT 400 FT AGL AND THE ACFT STARTED TO PORPOISE. DURING THE 3RD OSCILLATION THE GYRO TURNED OVER AND FELL INTO THE LAKE. WITNESSES HEARD THE ENGINE OPERATING UNTIL IMPACT. THE ACFT IMPACTED THE WATER AT A HIGH ANGLE OF DESCENT WHILE IN A LEFT TURN. THE PROPELLER BLADES WERE SHREDDED UPON IMPACT. WRECKAGE EXAMINATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION PRIOR TO IMPACT.
Full Narrative
THE GYROCOPTER DESCENDED TO THE LAKE IN AN UNCONTROLLED MANEUVER AND CRASHED. THE PLT WAS ON HIS 2ND FLT IN THE ACFT AND HAD BEEN TOLD TO LIMIT HIS CLIMB TO 10-15 FT AGL BY THE BUILDER OF THE GYROCOPTER. THE PLT CLIMBED TO ABOUT 400 FT AGL AND THE ACFT STARTED TO PORPOISE. DURING THE 3RD OSCILLATION THE GYRO TURNED OVER AND FELL INTO THE LAKE. WITNESSES HEARD THE ENGINE OPERATING UNTIL IMPACT. THE ACFT IMPACTED THE WATER AT A HIGH ANGLE OF DESCENT WHILE IN A LEFT TURN. THE PROPELLER BLADES WERE SHREDDED UPON IMPACT. WRECKAGE EXAMINATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION PRIOR TO IMPACT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:52 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftParson Bensen
Tail NumberUNREG
Aircraft CategoryGyro
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsMcculloch · 100-1 · Reciprocating · 72
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 30 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 10 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time14:52
Weather SourceWFAC