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 30, 1983 · Piper PA-28-161 · N30533
Marathon, FL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 30, 1983
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Marathon, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-161
Tail Number
N30533
Operator
Kitty Hawk Flight School
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA83FA216
THE ACFT LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED DURING A FORCED LANDING DUE TO A CABIN FIRE. THE LANDING OCCURRED JUST SHORT OF THE RWY AT MARATHON ARPT, FL. THE PLT HAD DEPARTED THIS ARPT ABOUT 30 MINUTES EARLIER ON THE 2ND LEG OF A STUDENT X-COUNTRY FLT.THE DEPARTURE WAS AT ABOUT 1105 EDT. AT 1130 WITNESSES SAW THE ACFT APPROACHING THE ARPT WITH FLAMES AND SMOKE VISIBLE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE ACFT. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE PLT SAID THAT ABOUT 10 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF HE SMELLED SOMETHING AND TURNED AROUND TO SEE THE CABIN ON FIRE. A REVIEW OF THE ACFT LOG SHOWS THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED ON8/2/83. A POST ACCIDENT TEST OF THE ALTERNATOR SHOWED ITS PERFORMANCE WITHIN LIMITS. FUEL LINES IN THE CABIN AND THE FUEL SELECTOR ALONG WITH THE REMAINING D.C. ELECTRICAL HARNESSES WERE SENT TO THE NTSB LAB FOR EXAMINATION. THE LAB FOUND EVIDENCE THAT AN ALUMINUM CABLE WAS INTERNALLY HEATED MOST LIKELY FROM EXCESSIVE ELECTRICAL CURRENT. DUE TO THE FIRE OTHER COCKPIT EVIDENCE WAS DESTROYED. BASED UPON STATEMENTS THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE REAR OF THE ACFT.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED DURING A FORCED LANDING DUE TO A CABIN FIRE. THE LANDING OCCURRED JUST SHORT OF THE RWY AT MARATHON ARPT, FL. THE PLT HAD DEPARTED THIS ARPT ABOUT 30 MINUTES EARLIER ON THE 2ND LEG OF A STUDENT X-COUNTRY FLT.THE DEPARTURE WAS AT ABOUT 1105 EDT. AT 1130 WITNESSES SAW THE ACFT APPROACHING THE ARPT WITH FLAMES AND SMOKE VISIBLE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE ACFT. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE PLT SAID THAT ABOUT 10 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF HE SMELLED SOMETHING AND TURNED AROUND TO SEE THE CABIN ON FIRE. A REVIEW OF THE ACFT LOG SHOWS THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED ON8/2/83. A POST ACCIDENT TEST OF THE ALTERNATOR SHOWED ITS PERFORMANCE WITHIN LIMITS. FUEL LINES IN THE CABIN AND THE FUEL SELECTOR ALONG WITH THE REMAINING D.C. ELECTRICAL HARNESSES WERE SENT TO THE NTSB LAB FOR EXAMINATION. THE LAB FOUND EVIDENCE THAT AN ALUMINUM CABLE WAS INTERNALLY HEATED MOST LIKELY FROM EXCESSIVE ELECTRICAL CURRENT. DUE TO THE FIRE OTHER COCKPIT EVIDENCE WAS DESTROYED. BASED UPON STATEMENTS THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE REAR OF THE ACFT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:37 EDT
Nearest AirportMARATHON (0nm N)
Runway25
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireIflt
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-161
Tail NumberN30533
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorKitty Hawk Flight School
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsAvco Lycoming · O-320-D3 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 31 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time19:50
Weather SourceWFAC