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

January 18, 1999 · Beech E90 · N16NM

Clovis, NM

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
January 18, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Clovis, NM
Aircraft
Beech E90
Tail Number
N16NM
Injuries
None
NTSB Number
DEN99IA033

The air ambulance flight was transporting a male infant in an incubator to Clovis, New Mexico. During the descent into Clovis, the control yoke moved to the full forward position. The pilot eased back on the yoke and the nose pitched up. The pilot was able to maintain control by the use of power and elevator trim, and elected to return to Albuquerque, where an uneventful landing was made. Postincident examination disclosed a drooping wire bundle beneath the pilot's seat, at F.S. 122. The insulation around the H16A10 wire (copilot's windshield heat) had chafed against the elevator down cable (part number 50-524439-31), causing a short circuit. Although the pilot did not detect the odor of smoke, the elevator cable was burnt through and had separated. No circuit breakers were opened nor were any fuses blown.

NTSB Probable Cause

Total failure of the elevator control cable due to a short circuit from chafing against an adjoining electrical cable, and failure of maintenance personnel to detect the problem during an AAIP phase inspection.

Full Narrative

On January 18, 1999, approximately 1210 mountain standard time, a Beech E90, N16NM, being operated by Seven Bar Flying Service of Albuquerque, New Mexico, was not damaged when the elevator control cable failed during initial descent into Clovis, New Mexico. The airline transport rated pilot, flight nurse, and patient were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an IFR flight plan had been filed for the nonscheduled domestic passenger air taxi flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 135. The flight originated in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at 1112. The air ambulance flight was transporting a male infant in an incubator to Clovis, New Mexico. During the descent into Clovis, the control yoke moved to the full forward position. The pilot eased back on the yoke and the nose pitched up. The pilot was able to maintain control by the use of power and elevator trim, and elected to return to Albuquerque, where an uneventful landing was made. Postincident examination disclosed a drooping wire bundle beneath the pilot's seat, at F.S. 122. The insulation around the H16A10 wire (copilot's windshield heat) had chafed against the elevator down cable (part number 50-524439-31), causing a short circuit. Although the pilot did not detect the odor of smoke, the elevator cable was burnt through and had separated. No circuit breakers were opened nor were any fuses blown. Seven Bar Flying Service then grounded its remaining fleet of four E90s for an inspection. No discrepancies were found in three of the airplanes (serial numbers were above LW-156), but some chafing of the electrical cables wqere noted on a fourth airplane, N14NM (s.n. LW-35).

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time12:10 MST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech E90
Tail NumberN16NM
Aircraft CategoryAir
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W · PT6A-28 · Turboprop · 550
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 32 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 21 kt, gusting 25 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 23 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time19:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data