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 6, 1982 · Piper PA-22 · N1489A
Lake Arthur, NM
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 6, 1982
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Lake Arthur, NM
Aircraft
Piper PA-22
Tail Number
N1489A
Operator
Dennis Zumwalt
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW82FQA24
THE PILOT AND ONE PASSENGER WERE ON A FLIGHT TO PICK UP SPARE PARTS. THE PASSENGER RECALLED THAT WHILE EN ROUTE, THE PILOT REMARKED, "OH, I CAN'T RESIST" AND STARTED TO DESCEND, THEN MADE A PASS AT ABOUT 50 FT OVER A FIELD HAND. THE FIELD HAND, A MEXICAN NATIONAL, REPORTED THAT THE PLANE MADE TWO PASSES OVER HIM AND HE JUMPED INTO A DITCH FOR FEAR OF BEING STRUCK. AFTER THE SECOND PASS, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK LEVEL GROUND WHILE IN A RELATIVELY LEVEL FLIGHT ATTITUDE. THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN CONVERTED/EQUIPPED WITH CONVENTIONAL GEAR (FIXED TAILWHEEL) ON 1/2/82.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT AND ONE PASSENGER WERE ON A FLIGHT TO PICK UP SPARE PARTS. THE PASSENGER RECALLED THAT WHILE EN ROUTE, THE PILOT REMARKED, "OH, I CAN'T RESIST" AND STARTED TO DESCEND, THEN MADE A PASS AT ABOUT 50 FT OVER A FIELD HAND. THE FIELD HAND, A MEXICAN NATIONAL, REPORTED THAT THE PLANE MADE TWO PASSES OVER HIM AND HE JUMPED INTO A DITCH FOR FEAR OF BEING STRUCK. AFTER THE SECOND PASS, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK LEVEL GROUND WHILE IN A RELATIVELY LEVEL FLIGHT ATTITUDE. THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN CONVERTED/EQUIPPED WITH CONVENTIONAL GEAR (FIXED TAILWHEEL) ON 1/2/82.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:25 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-22
Tail NumberN1489A
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDennis Zumwalt
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-290 · Reciprocating · 140
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 28 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 6 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point17 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg