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
June 18, 1983 · Bellanca 17-31A · N8838V
Ducor, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 18, 1983
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Ducor, CA
Aircraft
Bellanca 17-31A
Tail Number
N8838V
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX83LA291
THE ACFT CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF A HILL AT 1900 FEET MSL WHILE ON A PHOTOGRAPHIC MISSION. THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN THAT WAS STRUCK IS 2412 FEET MSL. THE PILOT WAS FATALLY INJURED IN THE CRASH AND GROUND FIRE FOLLOWING IMPACT. ACCORDING TO HIS SECRETARY HE WAS ON A PHOTOGRAPHING MISSION OF THE BOWEN RANCH AND HILLS ON THE RANCH. THE ACFT COLLIDED IN A STRAIGHT AHEAD LEFT WING DOWN POSITION. THE WEATHER WAS VMC WITH 50 MILES VISIBILITY AND NO WIND.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF A HILL AT 1900 FEET MSL WHILE ON A PHOTOGRAPHIC MISSION. THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN THAT WAS STRUCK IS 2412 FEET MSL. THE PILOT WAS FATALLY INJURED IN THE CRASH AND GROUND FIRE FOLLOWING IMPACT. ACCORDING TO HIS SECRETARY HE WAS ON A PHOTOGRAPHING MISSION OF THE BOWEN RANCH AND HILLS ON THE RANCH. THE ACFT COLLIDED IN A STRAIGHT AHEAD LEFT WING DOWN POSITION. THE WEATHER WAS VMC WITH 50 MILES VISIBILITY AND NO WIND.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:45 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBellanca 17-31A
Tail NumberN8838V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 51 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT