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 25, 1996 · Boeing 767-332ER · N185DN

Jamaica, NY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
June 25, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (229 uninjured)
Location
Jamaica, NY
Aircraft
Boeing 767-332ER
Tail Number
N185DN
Operator
Delta Airlines
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
NYC96IA131

Shortly after departure, the flightcrew heard a loud pop or crack, and the airplane made an uncommanded roll to the left. In addition, the right generator off light illuminated. By holding continuous input to the control yoke, the airplane was returned to a wings-level attitude, and returned for an overweight landing without incident. Examination of the airplane revealed that one of two aileron cables on the right side aileron control had been severed by electrical arcing from the right engine generator feed line. No evidence of contact between the generator feed cable and the aileron cable was found. However, a pin hole about 1/8 inch in diameter was found on the plastic sheath of the generator feed cable in the area where the aileron cable passed nearby. The Boeing drawing used for production states to maintain a 1.0 inch minimum clearance between the aileron cable and the generator feed line. When the aileron cable was replaced and tensioned on the incident airplane, the clearance between the aileron cable and generator feed line was measured at 3/16 inch.

NTSB Probable Cause

the improper installation of the generator feed cable by the manufacturer, which resulted in a severed aileron cable due to arcing between the generator feed cable and aileron cable.

Full Narrative

On June 25, 1996, about 1857 eastern daylight time, Delta Airlines Flight 148, N185DN, a Boeing 767-332ER, experienced flight control problems shortly after takeoff from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Jamaica, New York. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. There were no injuries to the 229 occupants. The aircraft received minor damage. The destination was Rome, Italy. The flight was operated under 14 CFR Part 121, and had departed from JFK at 1852. In the NTSB Incident Report, Delta Airlines stated: "...The flight departed JFK for FCO and was on radar vectors when a loud "crack" or "pop" was heard in the cockpit. The First Officer was the flying pilot. Approximately one to two seconds after the loud noise was heard, the "right generator off" light illuminated. An uncommanded roll to the left was observed by the First Officer, who countered with right aileron inputs. Control forces required to maintain wings level were high, however the aircraft was controllable at all times. The flight crew disconnected the autopilot and completed the checklist procedure for the generator malfunction. The flight returned to JFK for an overweight landing. The aircraft was landed by the Captain on runway 31L without further incident....." The left side, right aileron cable P/N A2B-3 was severed at approximately station 340, Water Line 190, Right Buttock Line 67.5. This is just forward of the forward baggage compartment on the right side, in the electrical equipment bay. In the same area, the right generator power feeder bundle W208 passed. The bundle is made up of three generator power feed cables tied together, with each cable protected by a plastic sheath. When the aileron cable was replaced and tensioned, the clearance between the aileron cable and the generator feed cable was measured at 3/16 inch. Evidence of arcing was observed on the severed halves of the cable. A small hole was found on the fed line at the location next to where the cable separation occurred. No evidence of direct contact between the aileron cable and the plastic sheath over the generator feed cable was found. A small hole, about 1/8 inch in diameter was found on the plastic sheath over the generator feed cable in the area where aileron cable passed next to the generator feed cable. The Boeing drawing used for production states, "Maintain a minimum clearance of 1.0 inch between bundle [generator feed line] and control cable." The airplane was delivered in 1991, and had accumulated 5,975.2 hours at the time of the incident.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time18:57 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBoeing 767-332ER
Tail NumberN185DN
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
OperatorDelta Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsP&W · 4060 · Turbofan · 60000
Seats235

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (229 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured229
Total229
Crew 1Age 57 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 15 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time22:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data