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

May 5, 1994 · Air Tractor AT-402 · N91966

Sikeston, MO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 5, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Sikeston, MO
Aircraft
Air Tractor AT-402
Tail Number
N91966
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI94LA147

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKEOFF A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER OCCURRED AND THE AIRPLANE PITCHED NOSE DOWN. THE AIRPLANE CONTACTED THE TERRAIN OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE WAS LOADED WITH 340 GALLONS OF A PROWL HERBICIDE/WATER MIXTURE WHICH SPILLED. INSPECTION REVEALED A FAILURE OF ONE COMPRESSOR BLADE WHICH OCCURRED DUE TO HIGH CYCLE FATIGUE. THIS BLADE FAILURE THEN RESULTED IN FURTHER COMPRESSOR AND TURBINE BLADE DAMAGE IN THE ENGINE.

NTSB Probable Cause

a fatigue failure of a compressor blade which resulted in a catostrophic engine failure.

Full Narrative

On May 5, 1994, at 1015 central daylight time, an Airtractor AT- 402, N91966, operated by Dennis E. McGarity, collided with the terrain following a loss of engine power on takeoff from the Sikeston Airport, Sikeston, Missouri. The accident occurred at the initiation of the CFR 14 Part 137 agricultural application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot was not injured. The flight was to have originated at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that immediately after lifting off the runway, a total loss of engine power occurred. He stated the airplane "pitched violently nose down" and collided with the terrain off the left side of the runway. The airplane was loaded with 25 gallons of PROWL Herbicide mixed with 315 gallons of water when the accident occurred. A chemical spill did occur. Post accident inspection by Federal Aviation Administration Inspectors revealed there was internal engine damage. The engine, a Pratt & Whitney PT-6A, was removed and taken to Aviall, Inc., for inspection under the observation of FAA Inspectors. During the inspection, it was determined that an internal failure of the engine had occurred. Compressor and power turbine blades were then shipped to Aviall's Metallurgical Laboratory for further inspection. This inspection revealed, "One C.T. blade had fractured through the airfoil in high cycle fatigue. The nature of the origin could not be determined. The remainder of the C.T. blades had fractured in tensile overload." See attached inspection report.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:15 CDT
Nearest AirportSikeston Memorial (0nm)
Runway2
Runway Length5502 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAir Tractor AT-402
Tail NumberN91966
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W · PT-6-15 · Turboprop · 680
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 42 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 8 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 54
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time14:50

Appendix: Source Data