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

September 19, 1983 · Cessna 120 · N76744

Lone Pine, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 19, 1983
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Lone Pine, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 120
Tail Number
N76744
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX83LA449

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A SAND BANK DURING TAKEOFF ROLL, A FUEL LEAK DEVELOPED AND THE ACFT WAS CONSUMED BY FIRE. THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING A TAKEOFF ON A DRY LAKE BED WHEN THE ACFT HIT A FEW SAND BUMPS. THE NOSE WENT UP IN THE AIR ANDTHE ACFT CAME BACK DOWN HARD ON THE LEFT MAIN GEAR. THE LEFT WING WAS DAMAGED, FUEL LEAKED AND A FLASH FIRE STARTED. THEOCCUPANTS AND A DOG GOT OUT UNINJURED BEFORE THE ACFT WAS BURNED. THE PILOT AND HIS FRIENDS HAD TRIED TO SMOOTH THE LAKE BED BEFORE THE FLT BY FILLING RUTS AND MEASURING OFF THE SMOOTHEST PART FOR THE TAKEOFF. THE AREA ALLOCATED WAS 900FT LONG. THE PILOT HAD DETERMINED THE TAKEOFF DISTANCE TO BE 830 FT FOR THE ACFT AT GROSS WEIGHT. HE STATED THAT HE THOUGHT THE ACFT WAS AIRBORNE WHEN THE LEFT WHEEL HIT THE RISE IN THE TERRAIN JUST BEYOND THE DEPARTURE END OF THE STRIP.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A SAND BANK DURING TAKEOFF ROLL, A FUEL LEAK DEVELOPED AND THE ACFT WAS CONSUMED BY FIRE. THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING A TAKEOFF ON A DRY LAKE BED WHEN THE ACFT HIT A FEW SAND BUMPS. THE NOSE WENT UP IN THE AIR ANDTHE ACFT CAME BACK DOWN HARD ON THE LEFT MAIN GEAR. THE LEFT WING WAS DAMAGED, FUEL LEAKED AND A FLASH FIRE STARTED. THEOCCUPANTS AND A DOG GOT OUT UNINJURED BEFORE THE ACFT WAS BURNED. THE PILOT AND HIS FRIENDS HAD TRIED TO SMOOTH THE LAKE BED BEFORE THE FLT BY FILLING RUTS AND MEASURING OFF THE SMOOTHEST PART FOR THE TAKEOFF. THE AREA ALLOCATED WAS 900FT LONG. THE PILOT HAD DETERMINED THE TAKEOFF DISTANCE TO BE 830 FT FOR THE ACFT AT GROSS WEIGHT. HE STATED THAT HE THOUGHT THE ACFT WAS AIRBORNE WHEN THE LEFT WHEEL HIT THE RISE IN THE TERRAIN JUST BEYOND THE DEPARTURE END OF THE STRIP.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:30 PDT
Nearest AirportSaline Valley (0nm N)
Runway27
Runway Length1000 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 120
Tail NumberN76744
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-90-14 · Reciprocating · 90
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 34 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDawn
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data