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 6, 1983 · Balloon Works Firefly AX-7 Firefly AX · N3609C
Fort Worth, TX
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 6, 1983
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Fort Worth, TX
Aircraft
Balloon Works Firefly AX-7 Firefly AX
Tail Number
N3609C
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW83FA364
THE INTENDED LANDING AREA WAS A PARKING LOT. ADJACENT TO THE LOT WAS A ONE-STORY BUILDING ON TOP OF WHICH A TV ANTENNA ABOUT 20 FT ABOVE THE ROOF TOP. IN AN EFFORT TO CLEAR THE ANTENNA DURING THE DESCENT TO THE PARKING LOT, THE PLTWAS NOT AWARE OF A SET OF POWER LINES BEYOND & SLIGHTLY LOWER THAN THE ANTENNA. AFTER SAFELY CLEARING THE ANTENNA THE PLT NOTICED THE POWER LINES. FEELING THAT A VERTICAL CLIMB OVER THE LINES WAS NOT POSSIBLE, HE ELECTED TO RIP OUT THE BALLOON TOP RESULTING IN A VERTICAL DESCENT CONTACTING THE WIRES ON THE WAY TO THE GROUND.
Full Narrative
THE INTENDED LANDING AREA WAS A PARKING LOT. ADJACENT TO THE LOT WAS A ONE-STORY BUILDING ON TOP OF WHICH A TV ANTENNA ABOUT 20 FT ABOVE THE ROOF TOP. IN AN EFFORT TO CLEAR THE ANTENNA DURING THE DESCENT TO THE PARKING LOT, THE PLTWAS NOT AWARE OF A SET OF POWER LINES BEYOND & SLIGHTLY LOWER THAN THE ANTENNA. AFTER SAFELY CLEARING THE ANTENNA THE PLT NOTICED THE POWER LINES. FEELING THAT A VERTICAL CLIMB OVER THE LINES WAS NOT POSSIBLE, HE ELECTED TO RIP OUT THE BALLOON TOP RESULTING IN A VERTICAL DESCENT CONTACTING THE WIRES ON THE WAY TO THE GROUND.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:45 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireUnknown
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBalloon Works Firefly AX-7 Firefly AX
Tail NumberN3609C
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 35 · Unknown
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind275° @ 6 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO