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

August 31, 1983 · Grumman G-164A · N5256

Clinton, KY

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 31, 1983
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Clinton, KY
Aircraft
Grumman G-164A
Tail Number
N5256
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL83LA348

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE WAS SPRAYING A FIELD THAT WAS BORDERED BY OBSTACLES. WHEN HE WAS ABOUT HALF WAY THRU A PROCEDURE TURN, THE ENG BEGAN 'BACKFIRING & LOSING POWER.' THE PLT MOVED THE THROTTLE TO ABOUT THE 1/2 POWER SETTING, HOPING THE CONDITION WOULD BE CORRECTED, BUT TO NO AVAIL. THERE WAS A HIGH POWER LINE ON ONE SIDE OF THE FIELD & A 300 FT TRANSMITTING TOWER ON THE OTHER. ALSO, THERE WAS A WOODED AREA AT THE END OF THE FIELD. THEREFORE, THE PLT ELECTED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A SMALL, ROLLING FIELD. DURING THE LANDING, THE GEAR COLLAPSED & THE WINGS WERE DAMAGED. AN EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THAT THE FRONT SPARK PLUGS WERE SOOTY; THE REAR SPARK PLUGS WERE RUSTED & COULD NOT BE REMOVED; THE #2, #4 & #8 CYLINDERS HAD BLOWN EXHAUST GASKETS; THE LEFT MAGNETO TIMING BUSHING WAS WORN EXCESSIVELY & THE MAGNETO WAS FOUND TO BE LOOSE.

Full Narrative

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE WAS SPRAYING A FIELD THAT WAS BORDERED BY OBSTACLES. WHEN HE WAS ABOUT HALF WAY THRU A PROCEDURE TURN, THE ENG BEGAN 'BACKFIRING & LOSING POWER.' THE PLT MOVED THE THROTTLE TO ABOUT THE 1/2 POWER SETTING, HOPING THE CONDITION WOULD BE CORRECTED, BUT TO NO AVAIL. THERE WAS A HIGH POWER LINE ON ONE SIDE OF THE FIELD & A 300 FT TRANSMITTING TOWER ON THE OTHER. ALSO, THERE WAS A WOODED AREA AT THE END OF THE FIELD. THEREFORE, THE PLT ELECTED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A SMALL, ROLLING FIELD. DURING THE LANDING, THE GEAR COLLAPSED & THE WINGS WERE DAMAGED. AN EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THAT THE FRONT SPARK PLUGS WERE SOOTY; THE REAR SPARK PLUGS WERE RUSTED & COULD NOT BE REMOVED; THE #2, #4 & #8 CYLINDERS HAD BLOWN EXHAUST GASKETS; THE LEFT MAGNETO TIMING BUSHING WAS WORN EXCESSIVELY & THE MAGNETO WAS FOUND TO BE LOOSE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:40 CDT
Nearest Airport10nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGrumman G-164A
Tail NumberN5256
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R-985-AN1 · Reciprocating · 450
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 39 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data