How To Obtain a NTSB Accident Report

[User546]

I lost a family member in a plane crash in 1981 (boyfriend pilot flew into a thunderstorm) and I was wondering if there was anyway I could obtain a full accident report from the NTSB.

I pulled up the accident report through the NTSB database, but it was back when they gave very vague information. I would assume the NTSB would have a file of information (the usual: eyewitness acounts, diagrams, pilot information, etc.) concerning this accident.

Is there a place I could write or call and request access/copies to these files? Or is that kind of information off limits to non-NTSB personnel? Thanks.

http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_id=26935&key=0

 

[charter dog]

Those '80s era reports were pretty weak. I have never tried to get any more specific data than what is available on their website, but I see that there is an online information request form. You might try making a request for more detailed information there. Select the appropriate type of request option and press the "next" button below. I suppose it might be worth a try. Good luck

Best,

 

[capt_zman]

Last time I checked, a boyfriend isn't a family member, not that there's anything wrong with that...

 

[I_Love_Lamp]

Last time I checked, a boyfriend isn't a family member, not that there's anything wrong with that...

In Massachusetts, maybe.

 

[FN FAL]

Last time I checked, a boyfriend isn't a family member, not that there's anything wrong with that...

Back in the 80's they didn't have gay people, because there was disco music and mood rings and flock of seagulls.

 

[User546]

Last time I checked, a boyfriend isn't a family member, not that there's anything wrong with that...

Uh huh, I better jump in here and clarify before this gets out of hand ... it was my aunt who was killed in the crash, and it was HER boyfriend who was flying the airplane. Thankfully, they had just dropped off her 6 year old son at his grandparents, and they were returning back home when the accident happened.

I wasn't even old enough to know what an airplane was back then.

 

[Metro752]

I wuznt a-live

 

[ReportCanoa]

Back in the 80's they didn't have gay people, because there was disco music and mood rings and flock of seagulls.

Lesbian Seagull?

 

[A Squared]

Yes, you can order copies of the reports. I did once for an accident in which a friend dies. this was back in the mid 1990's. I don't recall too many of the details but I did it by phone (the government wasn't quite onto the internet back then) There was a fee for copying and postage. I don't know if they have the reports available for an accident in 1981. The origianl may have been destroyed but I bet it's on microfiln somewhere. Good luck

 

[User546]

Charter or A-Squared, using the link that Charter provided, do you think it'd be a "Freedom of Information Request" or "Request For Information Product"?

http://www.ntsb.gov/pubmail/pubmail.asp

 

[JAFI]

User, Not all accident investigations are conducted by the NTSB. If the board doesn't wish to look at an accident or decides there are other accidents that (for whatever reason) they would rather look at then the local FAA office does the investigation. If you have a date, tail number, or an airmans name or certificate number an Inspector can look into the FAA database to look for the accident. PM me if you need assistance.

JAFI

 

[JimNtexas]

There was an accident that I was particularly interested in. When the final came out I just called the NTSB and wound up talking to someone who just mailed me a copy.

 

[Van Hooydonk]

Charter or A-Squared, using the link that Charter provided, do you think it'd be a "Freedom of Information Request" or "Request For Information Product"?

http://www.ntsb.gov/pubmail/pubmail.asp

I'm not "Charter" or "A x A" but since they did not respond, I will. It is is FOIA request. I have done them in the past, but not for an NTSB report. I have had records take over 10 months to arrive, but when there is no alternative what choice do you have. I am often amazed at the wealth of information you can receive from a simple request, color photos, audio tapes, etc..

 

[FN FAL]

User, was there a civil suit? I'm wondering if you couldn't find more information out on the crash if you were able to get a clerk of courts to give you a copy of the civil suit transcripts.

I'm not sure if there's a way to find out where the suit was filed or whether or not you can access the transcripts, but I would think you could.

 

[wrxpilot]

72 total hours and he departed into a T-storm?!

 

[A Squared]

I'm not "Charter" or "A x A" but since they did not respond, I will. It is is FOIA request. I have done them in the past, but not for an NTSB report. I have had records take over 10 months to arrive, but when there is no alternative what choice do you have. I am often amazed at the wealth of information you can receive from a simple request, color photos, audio tapes, etc..

Maybe you need to have a FOIA request if you're doing it online. I dunno. I do know that I diodn't make an official FOIA request when I orderd the report.

 

[JimNtexas]

I'm telling you guys, just call the NTSB. It is a very small agency, so the odds of getting someone with a clue is pretty good. I got the report I wanted in about a week "because we still have some in stock".

 

[A Squared]

I'm telling you guys, just call the NTSB. It is a very small agency, so the odds of getting someone with a clue is pretty good. I got the report I wanted in about a week "because we still have some in stock".

Yeah, that's pretty much how it went with me, too.