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

January 21, 1986 · Socata MS Rallye 235C MS Rallye · N355RA

Brenham, TX

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 21, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Brenham, TX
Aircraft
Socata MS Rallye 235C MS Rallye
Tail Number
N355RA
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW86LA039

THE RIGHT FLAP PUSH ROD EXPERIENCED A PROGRESSIVE TYPE FAILURE FROM REPEATED EXCESSIVE FORCE BEING APPLIED BY THE FLAP DRIVE MOTOR. THE EXCESSIVE FORCE WAS CAUSED BY THE FLAP ROLLERS BEING NEGLECTED DURING MAINTENANCE TO THE EXTENT THAT THEY BECAME DRY AND SLID ON THE FLAP TRACK INSTEAD OF ROTATING. THE FLAP TRACK ALSO CONTAINED NOTICABLE WEAR ALTHOUGH THE LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION WAS COMPLETED ONLY THREE MONTHS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE AIRCRAFT BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE DUE TO SPLIT FLAPS DURING THE FINAL PORTION OF ITS FINAL APPROACH FOR LANDING. THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN BUT WAS VEERING LEFT. IN ORDER TO PREVENT A COLLISION WITH PARKED AIRCRAFT THE PILOT ADVANCED THE THROTTLE AND BECAME AIRBORNE. AFTER CLEARING THE PARKED AIRCRAFT THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A FORCED LANDING WHICH TERMINATED IN A GROUP OF TREES ON THE EDGE OF THE AIRPORT.

Full Narrative

THE RIGHT FLAP PUSH ROD EXPERIENCED A PROGRESSIVE TYPE FAILURE FROM REPEATED EXCESSIVE FORCE BEING APPLIED BY THE FLAP DRIVE MOTOR. THE EXCESSIVE FORCE WAS CAUSED BY THE FLAP ROLLERS BEING NEGLECTED DURING MAINTENANCE TO THE EXTENT THAT THEY BECAME DRY AND SLID ON THE FLAP TRACK INSTEAD OF ROTATING. THE FLAP TRACK ALSO CONTAINED NOTICABLE WEAR ALTHOUGH THE LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION WAS COMPLETED ONLY THREE MONTHS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE AIRCRAFT BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE DUE TO SPLIT FLAPS DURING THE FINAL PORTION OF ITS FINAL APPROACH FOR LANDING. THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN BUT WAS VEERING LEFT. IN ORDER TO PREVENT A COLLISION WITH PARKED AIRCRAFT THE PILOT ADVANCED THE THROTTLE AND BECAME AIRBORNE. AFTER CLEARING THE PARKED AIRCRAFT THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A FORCED LANDING WHICH TERMINATED IN A GROUP OF TREES ON THE EDGE OF THE AIRPORT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:14 CST
Nearest AirportBRENHAM (0nm N)
Runway16
Runway Length4000 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSocata MS Rallye 235C MS Rallye
Tail NumberN355RA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-B4B5 · Reciprocating · 235
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 35 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind15 kt, gusting 25 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data