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.
Camden, TN
The pilot reported that, while starting the engine, he used small chocks around the tires and did not tie down the tail of the airplane. During his first attempt to hand-prop the engine, it did not start. He then advanced the throttle "very slightly." The engine subsequently started and, as the pilot was moving to the cockpit, the engine rpm increased. The airplane taxied out of the small chocks, began turning in circles, and the pilot grabbed the right horizontal stabilizer. The airplane continued to circle, dragging the pilot, and struck a parked airplane before coming to rest. A postaccident examination of the airplane did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage.
The pilot's failure to properly secure the airplane before hand-propping the engine for startup.
The pilot reported that during engine start, he used small chocks around the tires and did not tie down the tail of the airplane. During his first attempt to hand-prop the engine, it did not start. He then advanced the throttle "very slightly." The engine subsequently started and as the pilot was moving to the cockpit, the rpm increased. The airplane taxied out of the small chocks, began turning in circles, and the pilot grabbed the right horizontal stabilizer. The airplane continued to circle, dragging the pilot, and struck a parked airplane before coming to rest. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any. The inspector noted substantial damage to the empennage.