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

July 18, 1995 · Boeing 737-3B7 · N390US

Orlando, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
July 18, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (120 uninjured)
Location
Orlando, FL
Aircraft
Boeing 737-3B7
Tail Number
N390US
Injuries
None
NTSB Number
MIA95IA187

THE FLIGHT EXPERIENCED AN UNCOMMANDED ROLL TO THE LEFT DURING DESCENT FOR LANDING. THE FLIGHT CREW DISENGAGED THE AUTOPILOT AND YAW DAMPER, BUT REENGAGED THE YAW DAMPER SINCE THERE WAS NO APPARENT YAW PROBLEM. THE DESCENT WAS CONTINUED AND A LANDING WAS MADE WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. EXAMINTATION REVEALED THE CONNECTOR PLUGS AND WIRING HARNESS TO THE E-1-2 AND E-1-3 SHELF DISCONNECT BRACKETS IN THE ELECTRONICS COMPARTMENT WERE CONTAMINATED WITH WATER AND A BLUE RESIDUE. THE SOURCES OF CONTAMINATION WERE WATER FROM A CURRENT MAIN CABIN DOOR LEAK AND BLUE RESIDUE FROM A PREVIOUS LEAK OF THE FORWARD LAVATORY.

NTSB Probable Cause

CONTAMINATION OF THE WIRING HARNESS AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS TO THE E-1-2 AND E-1-3 SHELF DISCONNECT BRACKETS IN THE ELECTRONICS COMPARTMENT, WHICH RESULTED IN AN ELECTRICAL FAULT AND AN UNCOMMANDED ROLL MALFUNCTION OF THE AUTOPILOT. A FACTOR RELATING TO THE INCIDENT WAS: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT BY COMPANY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL.

Full Narrative

On July 18, 1995, about 1630 eastern daylight time, a Boeing 737-3B7, N390US, registered to and operated by USAIR, Inc., as flight 855, a 14 CFR Part 121 scheduled domestic passenger service from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Orlando, Florida, experienced an uncontrolled roll to the left during descent for landing. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed. The aircraft was not damaged and the airline transport-rated pilot, first officer, 3 flight attendants, and 115 passengers were not injured. The flight originated from Pittsburgh, on July 18, 1995, about 1504. The captain stated that about 65 nautical miles north of Ormond Beach, Florida, the flight was descending through 28,000 feet. The "A" autopilot system was on longitudinal navigation and vertical speed was selected for pitch control. The aircraft suddenly rolled hard to the left to about 25 degrees of bank angle. He overrode the roll with aileron control and returned the aircraft to wings level. The aircraft again rolled to the left and he disengaged the autopilot and yaw dampener. He reengaged the yaw dampener, left the autopilot off, and continued the flight to Orlando, without further incident. Examination of the aircraft showed the connector plugs and wiring harness to the E-1-2 and E-1-3 shelf disconnect brackets in the electronics compartment were contaminated with blue residue and water. The flight control computers and flight management computer mounts on these shelves. Evidence indicated the forward lavatory located above the electronics compartment had leaked at one time but was not currently leaking. Additionally, the main cabin door drain was found to not be properly sealed and water was leaking from the drain and dripping on to the wiring harness and migrating into the connectors. The flight control computer, and roll actuators were removed from the aircraft and tested. No failures which would cause an uncommanded roll were noted. For additional information see attached Boeing Commercial Airplane Company report, the Honeywell test report, and the FAA test report.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time16:30 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBoeing 737-3B7
Tail NumberN390US
Aircraft CategoryAir
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsGe · CFM56-3 · Turbofan · 22000
Seats149

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (120 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured120
Total120
Crew 1Age 49 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 12 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 14000 ft
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time20:46
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data