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
October 2, 1982 · Piper PA-22 · N4434A
Romeoville, IL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 2, 1982
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Romeoville, IL
Aircraft
Piper PA-22
Tail Number
N4434A
Operator
Russell a Spenger
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI83LA002
THE PILOT FLEW OVER THE AIRPORT AT NIGHT, SAW THE RUNWAY LIGHTS AND ENTERED THE TRAFFIC PATTERN FOR LANDING. ON FINAL APPROACH, HE SAW A ROTATING BEACON AND THOUGHT AN AIRCRAFT WAS HOLDING SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. AS HE CONTINUED ON FINAL, HE SAW THAT THE BEACON WAS ON A VEHICLE. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS DISTRACTED AND STARTED TO GO AROUND. HOWEVER, HE STATED THAT HE "FLEW DOWN A LITTLE WAY", THEN DECIDED TO LAND. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN ON TURF ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, THEN FLIPPED OVER. THE PLANE CAME TO REST IN A TRENCH THAT RAN PARALLEL AND NEXT TO THE RUNWAY.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT FLEW OVER THE AIRPORT AT NIGHT, SAW THE RUNWAY LIGHTS AND ENTERED THE TRAFFIC PATTERN FOR LANDING. ON FINAL APPROACH, HE SAW A ROTATING BEACON AND THOUGHT AN AIRCRAFT WAS HOLDING SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. AS HE CONTINUED ON FINAL, HE SAW THAT THE BEACON WAS ON A VEHICLE. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS DISTRACTED AND STARTED TO GO AROUND. HOWEVER, HE STATED THAT HE "FLEW DOWN A LITTLE WAY", THEN DECIDED TO LAND. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN ON TURF ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, THEN FLIPPED OVER. THE PLANE CAME TO REST IN A TRENCH THAT RAN PARALLEL AND NEXT TO THE RUNWAY.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:30 CDT
Nearest AirportRomeoville (0nm N)
Runway9
Runway Length3000 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-22
Tail NumberN4434A
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRussell a Spenger
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 42 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind60° @ 10 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point13 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg