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

December 23, 1996 · Mcdonnell Douglas DC-10-15 · N151SY

Las Vegas, NV

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 23, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (339 uninjured, 1 unknown outcome)
Location
Las Vegas, NV
Aircraft
Mcdonnell Douglas DC-10-15
Tail Number
N151SY
Operator
Sun Country Airlines
Injuries
None
NTSB Number
LAX97LA073

The ramp agent was functioning as the 'talker' during the push back operation and his headset was plugged into the aircraft at the nose wheel well. The agent realized he had forgotten his lighted hand wands and moved to the wheel well to unplug his headset from the aircraft just as the tug driver started pushing the aircraft back from the gate. The injured agent's foot and ankle were run over and crushed by one of the nose wheel tires.

NTSB Probable Cause

the ramp agent's failure to maintain a good situational awareness of the push-back. A factor was the dark night lighting conditions and the general communication failure of the ground push-back crew.

Full Narrative

On December 22, 1996, at 1800 hours Pacific standard time, a ramp agent was injured during the push-back of Sun Country Airlines flight 94 from the gate at McCarran International Airport, Las Vegas, Nevada. The aircraft, a McDonnell Douglas DC-10-15, N151SY, was operated by Sun Country Airlines, Inc., as a non-scheduled domestic passenger charter flight under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 121. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an IFR flight plan was filed. The ramp agent sustained serious injuries when his foot and ankle were run over by the nose landing gear tires. The 3 flight deck crew, 9 cabin attendants, and 327 passengers onboard the aircraft were not injured. There was no damage to the aircraft. The flight was originating as a non-stop flight to Detroit, Michigan. The ramp agent was functioning as the "talker" during the push back operation and his headset was plugged into the aircraft at the nose wheel well. The agent realized he had forgotten his lighted hand wands and moved to the wheel well to unplug his headset from the aircraft just as the tug driver started pushing the aircraft back from the gate. The injured agent's foot and ankle were run over and crushed by one of the nose wheel tires.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:00 PST
Nearest AirportMccarran International (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMcdonnell Douglas DC-10-15
Tail NumberN151SY
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorSun Country Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines3
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsGe · CF6-50 · Turbofan · 52500
Seats0

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (339 uninjured, 1 unknown outcome)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured339
Total340
Crew 1Age 51 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind210° @ 15 kt, gusting 24 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 37 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time02:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data