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

September 8, 1994 · Canadair CL600 · N403SW

Burbank, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 8, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (36 uninjured)
Location
Burbank, CA
Aircraft
Canadair CL600
Tail Number
N403SW
Operator
Skywest Airlines
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX94LA357

THE GROUND CREW WERE NOT USING HEADSETS WHILE PUSHING BACK THE AIRPLANE. THE GROUND CREW DID NOT FOLLOW COMPANY PROCEDURES AND DISCONNECTED THE TOW BAR WITHOUT RECEIVING AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT FROM THE FLIGHT CREW. THE GROUND CREW DID UTILIZE HAND SIGNAL PROCEDURES TWICE, BUT WERE UNABLE TO SEE THE CAPTAIN'S RESPONSE DUE TO THE POOR LIGHTING CONDITIONS. THE FLIGHT CREW WAS STARTING THE ENGINES AND DID NOT SEE NOR ACKNOWLEDGE THE PARKING BRAKE SIGNAL. THEY WERE NOT AWARE THAT THE GROUND CREW DISCONNECTED THE TOW BAR. MOMENTS LATER, THE JET ROLLED FORWARD AND STRUCK THE TUG.

NTSB Probable Cause

the ground crew's failure to follow company procedures. The failure of the operator to provide headsets to communicate with the flightcrew and the poor lighting conditions were factors in this accident.

Full Narrative

On September 8, 1994, at 0600 Pacific daylight time, a Canadair CL600, N403SW, collided with a tug after pushback at the Burbank Airport, Burbank, California. N403SW was operating as Skywest Airlines flight 5967, a scheduled domestic passenger flight to Salt Lake City, Utah. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. There were no injuries to the 33 passengers, 3 crewmembers, and 4 ground personnel. In the Skywest Airlines Ground Accident Report, ground personnel reported that after pushback they gave the pilots hand signals to set the parking brake. Headsets were not made available for communication with the flightcrew and the light condition was dark. After giving the brake signal twice, the tow bar was disconnected. The airplane rolled forward and impacted the tug. The tug operator reported that the pilots were not clearly visible because of glare from the cockpit window and poor lighting. The pilots stated in the report that they were monitoring engine indications following the completion of engine start. They did not see the tug operator's brake signal. No signal to disconnect was given by the captain or first officer. According to Skywest Airlines Regional Jet Pushback Procedures, dated April 1, 1994: "Ground crew interphone will be used for all ground/cockpit communications. If the interphone is inoperative, hand signals will be used. Once pushback has ceased, the ground crew will instruct the crew over the interphone or by hand signals to set the parking brake. Once the tow bar and interphone cable has been disconnected, the torque link reconnected, and the tug and towbar are at a safe distance, the ground crew will signal with a departure salute that the aircraft is clear to taxi. The captain will acknowledge by returning the salute."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:00 PDT
Nearest AirportBURBANK (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCanadair CL600
Tail NumberN403SW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSkywest Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsGe · CF34 · Turbofan
Seats53

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (36 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured36
Total36
Crew 1Age 34 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 48
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time13:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data