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

June 2, 1996 · Short Brothers SD3-60 · N826BE

Miami, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
June 2, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (35 uninjured)
Location
Miami, FL
Aircraft
Short Brothers SD3-60
Tail Number
N826BE
Operator
Gulfstream Int L Airlines
Injuries
None
NTSB Number
MIA96IA146

The captain stated that the elevator trim worked fine during preflight inspection, and was set for takeoff. With the first officer flying the airplane after takeoff, while climbing through 300 feet, the elevator trim cable failed. The captain assisted the first officer, and the flight returned and landed uneventfully. Examination of the airplane revealed that an elevator trim cable failed due to fatigue about 18 inches forward of a turnbuckle and just aft of a pulley where a 45-degree change in direction occurred. The cable was required to be inspected every 1,460 days or 4,800 hours. At the time of the failure, the cable had accumulated 1,679.4 hours and 2,017 cycles, since last inspection 573 days earlier, and a total of 10,953.0 hours and 16,193 cycles, since new.

NTSB Probable Cause

fatigue failure of a segment of the elevator trim cable.

Full Narrative

On June 2, 1996, about 1312 eastern daylight time, a Shorts Brothers SD3-60, N826BE, registered to First National Bank Boston Trustee, operated by Gulfstream International Airlines, Inc., experienced loss of elevator trim shortly after takeoff from the Miami International Airport, Miami, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time for flight 427A, a domestic, scheduled, passenger flight operated in accordance with 14 CFR Part 121. The airline transport-rated pilot and first officer, 1 flight attendant, and 32 passengers were not injured. The flight originated about 1311. The captain stated that the elevator trim worked fine during the preflight inspection and was set for takeoff. The first officer was flying the airplane and after takeoff while climbing through 300 feet, the elevator trim failed. An emergency was declared and he assisted the co-pilot with manipulation of the power levers. The flight returned and landed uneventfully. Examination of the elevator trim control cable system revealed a failed segment of the control cable from fuselage station 74 in the cockpit, to fuselage station 310 in the cabin. The cable failed about midpoint between a 45-degree change in direction and the cable controls nose-down trim. The cable segment has a total of three, 45-degree changes in direction and the elevator trim system is only manually controlled. Review of the airplane manufacturer maintenance program revealed that the elevator trim cables are required to be inspected every 4,800 hours or 1,460 days. Cable replacement is on condition. The elevator trim cables were last inspected on November 8, 1994, or 573 days earlier and the airplane had been operated for 1,679.4 hours and 2,017 cycles since. The operator of the airplane indicated that the cables have not been replaced since the airplane was manufactured and had accumulated a total time of 10, 953.0 hours and 16,193 cycles. The airplane was released to Mr. Wayne R. Modney, Director of Quality Control, on June 3, 1996. The retained cable was also released to him on May 8, 1997.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time13:12 EDT
Nearest AirportMiami International (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftShort Brothers SD3-60
Tail NumberN826BE
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorGulfstream Int L Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W · PT6A-67R · Turboprop · 1220
Seats39

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (35 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured35
Total35
Crew 1Age 25 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind60° @ 12 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data