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
May 8, 1982 · Thunder Balloons LTD · GBJZC
Fountain Valley, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 8, 1982
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (1 serious injury, 2 minor injuries), 1 unknown outcome
Location
Fountain Valley, CA
Aircraft
Thunder Balloons LTD
Tail Number
GBJZC
Operator
Greenpeace
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
LAX82FA163
THE PILOT STATED THE BALLOON WAS INFLATED AND ESTABLISHED WEIGH-OFF PROCEDURES WERE CONDUCTED. AT THE END OF THE WEIGHT-OFF PROCEDURE, AS THE BALLOON WAS BEING WALKED BY THE GROUND HANDLERS, AN INCREASE IN WIND VELOCITY CAUSED THE BASKET TO BE PULLED FREE FROM THEIR GRASP. THE BALLOONS GONDOLA WAS DRAGGED ACROSS THE GROUND FOR ABOUT 100 YARDS, COLLIDED WITH A PORTABLE STAGE, WENT UP AND OVER THE ROOF OF THE STAGE, AND COLLIDED WITH A TOW TRUCK CAUSING A PASSENGER TO FALL OUT BEFORE BECOMING AIRBORNE. IT SUCCESSFULLY LANDED ABOUT 13 MILES NORTH OF THE TAKEOFF SITE. A NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORCASTER AT THE SITE STATED THAT WINDS WERE 180 DEGREES AT 7 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 10 MPH AT 5 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT STATED THE BALLOON WAS INFLATED AND ESTABLISHED WEIGH-OFF PROCEDURES WERE CONDUCTED. AT THE END OF THE WEIGHT-OFF PROCEDURE, AS THE BALLOON WAS BEING WALKED BY THE GROUND HANDLERS, AN INCREASE IN WIND VELOCITY CAUSED THE BASKET TO BE PULLED FREE FROM THEIR GRASP. THE BALLOONS GONDOLA WAS DRAGGED ACROSS THE GROUND FOR ABOUT 100 YARDS, COLLIDED WITH A PORTABLE STAGE, WENT UP AND OVER THE ROOF OF THE STAGE, AND COLLIDED WITH A TOW TRUCK CAUSING A PASSENGER TO FALL OUT BEFORE BECOMING AIRBORNE. IT SUCCESSFULLY LANDED ABOUT 13 MILES NORTH OF THE TAKEOFF SITE. A NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORCASTER AT THE SITE STATED THAT WINDS WERE 180 DEGREES AT 7 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 10 MPH AT 5 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:45 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftThunder Balloons LTD
Tail NumberGBJZC
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageMinor
OperatorGreenpeace
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats3
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (1 serious injury, 2 minor injuries), 1 unknown outcome
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 35 · Unknown
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 7 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point15 C / 0 C
Altimeter0