Overall Trends
Total, fatal, and serious accidents in the selected range.
Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.
Fast key and full-text search with live filters, watches, and precise metadata.
Use quotes for exact phrase matches (for example "fuel selector valve").
Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.
Major cases, deep-report coverage, and investigation media across decades of NTSB history.
Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.
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.
Memphis, TN
The tug operator (maintenance representative) was pushing back an airplane at an angle from a nose dock. A wing walker yelled for the tug operator to stop; however the airplane collided with the nose dock before the tug operator could stop the tug.
The tug operator's (maintenance representative) inadequate visual lookout during pushback.
On April 4, 1998, about 0353 central standard time, a Douglas DC-10-10F, N68053, registered to Federal Express Corporation, operating as a 14 CFR Part 121 supplemental domestic international cargo flight, collided with a nose dock on pushback at the Memphis International Airport, Memphis, Tennessee. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an IFR flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airline transport pilot-in-command, first officer, and flight engineer reported no injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The ground power operator stated he removed the ground power unit from the airplane. The tug operator (maintenance representative) was pushing back the airplane. He noticed that the tug operator was pushing back at an angle and was getting the airplane close to the nose dock. He yelled at the tug operator to stop the pushback; however, the airplane collided with the nose dock before he could stop the tug. Review of the FedEx Aircraft Ramp Operations R7-5-25 AIRCRAFT TOWING/PUSHBACK POLICY states, "The maintenance representative is fully responsible for the pushback and towing of aircraft with assistance from the ramp personnel as required."