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

November 6, 1994 · Boeing 757-231 · N518US

St Paul, MN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 6, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (123 uninjured, 1 unknown outcome)
Location
St Paul, MN
Aircraft
Boeing 757-231
Tail Number
N518US
Operator
Northwest Airlines
Injuries
None
NTSB Number
CHI95LA031

THE CAPTAIN REPORTED THAT AFTER BEING CLEARED TO TAXI FOR DEPARTURE, THE TUG DRIVER PUSHED THE AIRPLANE BACK TO A SPOT CLOSE TO THE GATE. TO CONSERVE FUEL, ONLY THE RIGHT ENGINE WAS STARTED FOR TAXIING. DUE TO THE POSITION OF OTHER AIRCRAFT AND CLOSENESS OF THE GATE, THE CAPTAIN ELECTED TO MAKE A 270 DEGREE RIGHT TURN TO TAXI TO THE RUNWAY. DURING THE TURN, JET BLAST FROM THE RIGHT ENGINE OVERTURNED THREE BAGGAGE CARTS. ONE OF THE CARTS HIT A GROUND WORKER, WHICH RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURY. THE COMPANY OPERATIONS MANUAL STATED THAT TAXI THRUST SHOULD BE KEPT BELOW 45% N1. THE FLIGHT DATA RECORDER INDICATED THE RIGHT ENGINE N1 PEAKED AT 49.73% AS THE THROTTLE WAS ADVANCED TO INITIATE THE TURN.

NTSB Probable Cause

FAILURE OF GROUND PERSONNEL TO IDENTIFY THE UNSAFE/HAZARDOUS SITUATION REGARDING THE CLOSENESS OF THE AIRPLANE TO THE BAGGAGE CARTS, AND THE CAPTAIN'S IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION CONCERNING THE SITUATION.

Full Narrative

On November 6, 1994, about 1305 central standard time, an airline ground service employee was seriously injured when a Boeing 757-251, N518US, operated by Northwest Airlines, Inc., blew over a baggage cart as the airplane departed the gate at the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport, St. Paul, Minnesota. The scheduled domestic flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 121, as Flight 100 with a destination of Washington, D.C. There was no damage to the airplane. An IFR flight plan was filed, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The Captain reported in his written statement that the tug driver "pushed us to a spot close to the gate with our left wing overlapping some carts." After the airplane was pushed back from gate 63, the right engine was started. The Captain reported, "After assessing the situation, I figured that I was too close to turn left out of the gate. With only one engine going I staged my turn. As I slowed I straightened the nose rather than add power... ." An approximate 270 degree right turn was made on the ramp to taxi to the taxiway. While the airplane was making the turn, jet blast from the right engine overturned three baggage carts. The baggage carts were located near the left wing of N518US as it was parked in the gate. One of the baggage carts struck a ground service employee. The employee received a dislocated shoulder and a fractured right hip, along with several minor contusions and abrasions. Prior to this incident Northwest Airline's Boeing 757 Aircraft Operations Manual (AOM) stated that taxi thrust should be kept below 45% N1. According to flight data recorder information obtained from Northwest Airlines, the right engine N1 peaked momentarily at 49.73% as the throttles were advanced to initiate the turn. The throttles were then reduced and N1 was decreased to 44% or below. Since this accident, Northwest Airlines has revised the AOM to state, "Always verify with ground personnel that the area behind the aircraft is clear if you must exceed 40% N1." In addition to this change in the AIM, an Exhaust Velocity Contours chart was added.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:05 CST
Nearest AirportMinneapolis-St Paul Intl (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBoeing 757-231
Tail NumberN518US
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorNorthwest Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsP&W · 2037 · Turbofan · 37000
Seats193

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (123 uninjured, 1 unknown outcome)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured123
Total124
Crew 1Age 54 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 8 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point48 / 37 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data