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

February 8, 1982 · Cessna C-172 · N13165

Brownsville, KY

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 8, 1982
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Brownsville, KY
Aircraft
Cessna C-172
Tail Number
N13165
Operator
Billy Thomas
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL82DA049

WHILE CLIMBING AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT NOTICED SMOKE IN THE COCKPIT. HE REPORTED THAT FLAMES STARTED TO COME IN AS HE WAS TURNING BACK TO THE AIRSTRIP. WHEN HE SAW THAT HE COULD LAND BACK ON THE STRIP, HE REPORTEDLY SHUT- OFF THE FUEL, MASTER SWITCH AND MAGNETOS. A WITNESS REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN AT ABOUT MID-FIELD. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO STOP ON THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A TREE AND BARN. THE WITNESS NOTED THAT THE PILOT WAS DAZED AND ASSISTED IN EVACUATING HIM FROM THE AIRCRAFT. AT THAT TIME, THE WITNESS OBSERVED THAT BLUE SPARKS WERE COMING FROM BENEATH THE DASH ON THE PILOT'S SIDE. AFTER THEY MOVED ABOUT 30 FEET FROM THE PLANE, IT BURST INTO FLAMES. THE BARN AND AIRCRAFT WERE DESTROYED BY FIRE.

Full Narrative

WHILE CLIMBING AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT NOTICED SMOKE IN THE COCKPIT. HE REPORTED THAT FLAMES STARTED TO COME IN AS HE WAS TURNING BACK TO THE AIRSTRIP. WHEN HE SAW THAT HE COULD LAND BACK ON THE STRIP, HE REPORTEDLY SHUT- OFF THE FUEL, MASTER SWITCH AND MAGNETOS. A WITNESS REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN AT ABOUT MID-FIELD. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO STOP ON THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A TREE AND BARN. THE WITNESS NOTED THAT THE PILOT WAS DAZED AND ASSISTED IN EVACUATING HIM FROM THE AIRCRAFT. AT THAT TIME, THE WITNESS OBSERVED THAT BLUE SPARKS WERE COMING FROM BENEATH THE DASH ON THE PILOT'S SIDE. AFTER THEY MOVED ABOUT 30 FEET FROM THE PLANE, IT BURST INTO FLAMES. THE BARN AND AIRCRAFT WERE DESTROYED BY FIRE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:54 EST
Nearest AirportMEREDITH (0nm N)
Runway24
Runway Length2000 ft
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireBoth
Aircraft ExplosionBoth

Aircraft

AircraftCessna C-172
Tail NumberN13165
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorBilly Thomas
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 41 · Unknown

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point10 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data