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
August 20, 1983 · Aerotek Pitts S-2A · N80016
Waukegan, IL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 20, 1983
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Waukegan, IL
Aircraft
Aerotek Pitts S-2A
Tail Number
N80016
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI83FA387
WHILE ON A LOCAL FLT, THE ACFT CRASHED IN LAKE MICHIGAN ABOUT 1/2 MI FROM THE SHORELINE. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, IT WAS FLYING OVER THE WATER AT ABOUT 100 FT, THEN PULLED ALMOST STRAIGHT UP TO ABOUT 300 FT ABOVE THE WATER, NOSED OVER & WENT ALMOST STRAIGHT NOSE DOWN UNTIL WATER IMPACT. LATER, THE ACFT WAS RECOVERED & EXAMINED, BUT NO PREIMPACT/MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE LEADING EDGE OF THE PROPELLER BLADE TIPS WERE BENT OPPOSITE THE DIRECTION OF ROTATION, THE SPARK PLUGS WERE CLEAN & FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL DISTRIBUTION MANIFOLD.
Full Narrative
WHILE ON A LOCAL FLT, THE ACFT CRASHED IN LAKE MICHIGAN ABOUT 1/2 MI FROM THE SHORELINE. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, IT WAS FLYING OVER THE WATER AT ABOUT 100 FT, THEN PULLED ALMOST STRAIGHT UP TO ABOUT 300 FT ABOVE THE WATER, NOSED OVER & WENT ALMOST STRAIGHT NOSE DOWN UNTIL WATER IMPACT. LATER, THE ACFT WAS RECOVERED & EXAMINED, BUT NO PREIMPACT/MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE LEADING EDGE OF THE PROPELLER BLADE TIPS WERE BENT OPPOSITE THE DIRECTION OF ROTATION, THE SPARK PLUGS WERE CLEAN & FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL DISTRIBUTION MANIFOLD.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:45 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftAerotek Pitts S-2A
Tail NumberN80016
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-A1A · Reciprocating · 200
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 30 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind60° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT