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

March 21, 1993 · De Havilland SHD-6 · N374MQ

Chicago, IL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
March 21, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Chicago, IL
Aircraft
De Havilland SHD-6
Tail Number
N374MQ
Operator
Simmons
Injuries
None
NTSB Number
CHI93IA127

THE CONTROLLER ISSUED A TAKEOFF CLEARANCE FOR SIMMONS 4085 TO FLY THE RUNWAY HEADING. UNITED 556 WAS NEXT TO TAKEOFF AND WAS ISSUED A CLEARANCE TO FLY A HEADING OF 140 DEGREES AFTER TAKEOFF. THE PILOT DID NOT TURN IMMEDIATELY TO 140 DEGREES AND SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BY THE CONTROLLER TO CONTACT THE FLIGHT WERE TO NO AVAIL. IN AN ATTEMPT TO PREVENT THE UNITED FLIGHT FROM OVERTAKING THE SLOWER SIMMONS FLIGHT, THE CONTROLLER STOPPED UNITED FROM CLIMBING. RADAR SEPARATION OF 3 MILES HAD ALREADY BEEN LOST BY TIME THE UNITED FLIGHT STOPPED ITS CLIMB.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE LOCAL CONTROLLER'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN 3 MILES RADAR SEPARATION BETWEEN TWO AIRPLANES. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE INCIDENT WAS THE LOCAL CONTROLLER'S DELAY IN REMEDIAL ACTION.

Full Narrative

On March 21, 1993, at 0806 central standard time, minimum air traffic control separation was lost between N374MQ, a DeHavilland SHD-6, operated as Simmons Flight 4085, and N361UA, a Boeing 737, operated as United Airlines Flight 556. Both airplanes had departed on Runway 22L at the O'Hare International Airport, Chicago, Illinois, just prior to the loss of separation. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and IFR flight plans were filed. There were no injuries or damage reported as a result of this incident. Both airplanes had departed runway 22L which was being controlled by the South Local Controller (SLC). This controller was responsible for arrivals on runway 27L and depatures from runway 22L and 32L T-1 intersection. The events which resulted in the loss of separation occurred as follows: At 0802, Simmons 4085 was cleared for takeoff and instructed to fly the runway heading. At 0803, Simmons 4085 was instructed to fly a heading of 200 degrees. At 0804, United 556 was cleared for takeoff and instructed to fly a heading of 140 degrees. United 556 was instructed not to delay it's takeoff roll. At 0805, Simmons 4085 was instructed to contact departure control. At 0806, United 556 is instructed once again to fly a heading of 140 degrees. Twelve seconds later, United 556 is instructed to maintain 4,000 feet. Ten seconds later, the flight is instructed to contact departure control. (The controller stated she stopped United's climb at 4,000 feet because without turning to 140 degrees, it would have over taken the slower Simmons flight ahead of it. However, by this time the loss of separation had already occorred.) Air Traffic Control Handbook 7110.65G, paragraph 5-72 states, "Separate aircraft by the following minima: a.1. when less than 40 miles from the antenna-3 miles." According to radar data, lateral separation between Simmons 4085 and United 556 decreased to 2.25 miles with 400 feet of vertical separation. See Air Traffic Control/Human Performance Group Chairman's Factual Report and Attachments for CHI-93-I-A115.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time08:06 CST
Nearest AirportO'Hare Int'L Airport (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDe Havilland SHD-6
Tail NumberN374MQ
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorSimmons
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W · PT6A · Turboprop · 620
Seats20

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 37 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 6 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingOvercast 3700 ft
Temperature / Dew Point34 C / 30 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time13:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data