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 1, 1981 · Cessna 180 · N4988E
Cotton, MN
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 1, 1981
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Location
Cotton, MN
Aircraft
Cessna 180
Tail Number
N4988E
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI81LA106
WHILE ENROUTE IN THE COMPANY OF ANOTHER AIRCRAFT, CLOUDS WERE ENCOUNTERED. THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED VFR INTO IMC CONDITIONS. SUBSEQUENTLY DEPARTURE FROM CONTROLLED FLIGHT OCCURRED AND ALTITUDE WAS NOT MAINTAINED. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED TREES AND THE TERRAIN IN A REMOTE AREA. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON AUGUST 1, 1981. THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOCATED ON NOVEMBER 5, 1990.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE AND AIRCRAFT CONTROL AFTER AN ENCOUNTER WITH INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS.
Full Narrative
WHILE ENROUTE IN THE COMPANY OF ANOTHER AIRCRAFT, CLOUDS WERE ENCOUNTERED. THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED VFR INTO IMC CONDITIONS. SUBSEQUENTLY DEPARTURE FROM CONTROLLED FLIGHT OCCURRED AND ALTITUDE WAS NOT MAINTAINED. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED TREES AND THE TERRAIN IN A REMOTE AREA. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON AUGUST 1, 1981. THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOCATED ON NOVEMBER 5, 1990.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:15 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 180
Tail NumberN4988E
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470-K · Reciprocating · 230
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Fatal4
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 40 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 4 kt
Visibility2 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 400 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time11:00
Weather SourceWFAC