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
September 2, 1982 · Falkenthal Varieze · N78EV
Palo Alto, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 2, 1982
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Palo Alto, CA
Aircraft
Falkenthal Varieze
Tail Number
N78EV
Operator
Robert J Falkenthal
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX83FVM03
DURING FINAL APPROACH THE ACFT SUDDENLY PITCHED DOWN ABOUT 45 DEG & CRASHED INTO A DUCK POND CONTAINING APPROXIMATELY 4-5 FT OF WATER. DURING EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE IT WAS NOTED A BOLT WAS MISSING THAT SECURES THE ELEVATOR CONTROL STICK, AT THE BELLCRANK, TO THE PUSH-PULL ROD THAT EXTENDS TO & OPERATES THE ELEVATORS ATTACHED TO THE CANARD. THE PLT STATED THAT PRIOR TO THIS FLT HE HAD PUT IN A NEW INSTRUMENT PANEL DURING WHICH THE CANARD HAD BEEN REMOVED. HE COULD NOT REMEMBER TORQUING THE NUT ATTACHING THE ELEVATOR PUSH-PULL ROD TO THE BELLCRANK WHEN HE REINSTALLED THE CANARD.
Full Narrative
DURING FINAL APPROACH THE ACFT SUDDENLY PITCHED DOWN ABOUT 45 DEG & CRASHED INTO A DUCK POND CONTAINING APPROXIMATELY 4-5 FT OF WATER. DURING EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE IT WAS NOTED A BOLT WAS MISSING THAT SECURES THE ELEVATOR CONTROL STICK, AT THE BELLCRANK, TO THE PUSH-PULL ROD THAT EXTENDS TO & OPERATES THE ELEVATORS ATTACHED TO THE CANARD. THE PLT STATED THAT PRIOR TO THIS FLT HE HAD PUT IN A NEW INSTRUMENT PANEL DURING WHICH THE CANARD HAD BEEN REMOVED. HE COULD NOT REMEMBER TORQUING THE NUT ATTACHING THE ELEVATOR PUSH-PULL ROD TO THE BELLCRANK WHEN HE REINSTALLED THE CANARD.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:10 PDT
Nearest AirportPALOALTO (0nm N)
Runway30
Runway Length2500 ft
Runway Width65 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftFalkenthal Varieze
Tail NumberN78EV
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRobert J Falkenthal
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 30 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind20° @ 8 kt
Visibility8 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0