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

December 12, 1982 · Piper PA-28-180 · N9317J

Grandfield, OK

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 12, 1982
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality), 3 uninjured
Location
Grandfield, OK
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-180
Tail Number
N9317J
Operator
Altus Flying Service
Injuries
Fatal
NTSB Number
FTW83LA057

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, A CHILD, WHO HAD BEEN ALLOWED TO OCCUPY THE BAGGAGE COMPARTMENT DURING THE TAKEOFF, FELL FROM THE ACFT WHEN THE DOOR OPENED IN FLIGHT. THE CHILD'S GRANDFATHER, WHO OCCUPIED THE REAR SEAT, ALLOWED THE YOUNGSTER TO CLIMB INTO THE BAGGAGE COMPARTMENT BECAUSE HE WOULD NOT STAY IN HIS SEAT BELT. WITH THE CARGO DOOR IN THE LATCHED POSITION IT WOULD POP OPEN IF HIT SHARPLY IN THE CENTER OF THE DOOR FROM INSIDE THE ACFT. THE DOOR IS NOT REINFORCED & IS NOT DESIGNED TO WITHSTAND FORCES FROM INSIDE THE ACFT.

Full Narrative

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, A CHILD, WHO HAD BEEN ALLOWED TO OCCUPY THE BAGGAGE COMPARTMENT DURING THE TAKEOFF, FELL FROM THE ACFT WHEN THE DOOR OPENED IN FLIGHT. THE CHILD'S GRANDFATHER, WHO OCCUPIED THE REAR SEAT, ALLOWED THE YOUNGSTER TO CLIMB INTO THE BAGGAGE COMPARTMENT BECAUSE HE WOULD NOT STAY IN HIS SEAT BELT. WITH THE CARGO DOOR IN THE LATCHED POSITION IT WOULD POP OPEN IF HIT SHARPLY IN THE CENTER OF THE DOOR FROM INSIDE THE ACFT. THE DOOR IS NOT REINFORCED & IS NOT DESIGNED TO WITHSTAND FORCES FROM INSIDE THE ACFT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 CST
Nearest AirportGrandfield Municipal (0nm N)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-180
Tail NumberN9317J
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorAltus Flying Service
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A3A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality), 3 uninjured
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total4
Crew 1Age 21 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 12 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point11 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:55

Appendix: Source Data