Overall Trends
Total, fatal, and serious accidents in the selected range.
Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.
Fast key and full-text search with live filters, watches, and precise metadata.
Use quotes for exact phrase matches (for example "fuel selector valve").
Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.
Major cases, deep-report coverage, and investigation media across decades of NTSB history.
Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.
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.
Hastings, MN
The floatplane sustained substantial damage on impact with trees and terrain following a loss of engine power during initial climb from a lake. The pilot and passenger reported no injuries. The pilot reported that he warmed the engine and taxied around the lake on step before that takeoff. He stated that the fuel valve was in the off position. He said that he put the floatplane between two small rows of pine trees about 20 feet apart. He reported no mechanical malfunctions with the floatplane in reference to that flight.
The pilot not verifying the fuel selector valve's position during the preflight leading to the fuel starvation and subsequent loss of engine power during the flight's initial climb.
On April 16, 2004, about 1400 central daylight time, a Cessna A185E floatplane, sustained substantial damage on impact with trees and terrain following a loss of engine power during initial climb from Lake Isabelle, near Hastings, Minnesota. The personal flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was on file. The pilot and passenger reported no injuries. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that he warmed the engine and taxied around the lake on step before that takeoff. The floatplane lost engine power during the initial climb and the pilot said that he put the floatplane between two small rows of pine trees about 20 feet apart. He reported no mechanical malfunctions with the floatplane in reference to that flight. He stated that the fuel valve was in the off position. At 1353, the recorded Sky Meadow Airport, near Hastings, Minnesota, was: Wind calm; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition clear; temperature 22 degrees C; dew point 3 degrees C; altimeter 29.85 inches of mercury.