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

May 1, 1993 · Mcdonnell Douglas MD-11 · N803DE

Los Angeles, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
May 1, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (277 uninjured)
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Aircraft
Mcdonnell Douglas MD-11
Tail Number
N803DE
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
LAX93IA198

THE PILOT WAS INSTRUCTED TO GO-AROUND ON HIS FIRST APPROACH DUE TO PRECEDING TRAFFIC ON THE RUNWAY. AFTER THE SECOND APPROACH, HE ALLOWED THE AIRPLANE'S DESCENT RATE TO BECOME EXCESSIVE, AND IT TOUCHED DOWN FIRMLY AND BOUNCED. THE SECOND TOUCHDOWN WAS ALSO FIRM. DURING THE LANDING ROLL-OUT, THE AIRPLANE VIBRATED, BUT WAS CONTROLLED WITH BRAKES AND ENGINE REVERSING. A POST-FLIGHT EXAM REVEALED DAMAGE TO BOTH NOSE GEAR TIRES AND WHEEL RIMS, SMALL HOLES IN THE FUSELAGE AFT OF THE NOSE GEAR, AND INGESTION OF TIRE RUBBER IN THE #1 ENGINE.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FLARE AND IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING.

Full Narrative

On April 30, 1993, at 2113 hours Pacific daylight time, Delta Airlines Flight 88, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11, N803DE, landed hard on Runway 24R at Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles, California. The airplane, operating as a scheduled international passenger flight under 14 CFR Part 121, sustained minor damage. There were no injuries to the 14 crewmembers or 263 passengers. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at Anchorage, Alaska, at 1545 hours. According to the FAA, the pilot was instructed to go-around on his first approach due to the preceding traffic on the runway. On the second approach, the airplane landed hard and bounced. The pilot added power to cushion the landing, which subsequently stowed and disarmed the wing spoilers. Examination of the airplane revealed damage to both nose gear tires and wheel rims, damage to the heat shield on the center body gear, small holes in the fuselage aft of the nose gear, and ingestion of tire rubber in the number 1 engine inlet. Delta Airlines System Manager Flight Safety reported in part, "On arrival into LAX, the crew was cleared for an ILS 24R with about 18,000 pounds of fuel remaining. A go-around was required from short final due to failure of traffic ahead to clear the runway. On short final, [the] aircraft felt like it was sinking, but an instrument check indicated a stable approach. The Captain added additional throttle and back pressure to the controls. The aircraft touched down, the nose pitched up and the aircraft became airborne." The system manager also stated that, "The Captain added additional power and forward pressure to the controls to counter the nose pitch-up. The second touchdown was firm and during the rollout the aircraft vibrated, but was controlled with brakes and engine reversing." Delta Airlines did not report any mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane preceding the incident. Delta Airlines also reported that "training in last minute high sink rate situations and recovery techniques after a hard landing could prevent a similar occurrence."

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time21:13 PDT
Nearest AirportLos Angeles International (0nm)
Runway24R
Runway Length8925 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMcdonnell Douglas MD-11
Tail NumberN803DE
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
Operating RulePart 121
Engines3
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsP&W · PW4460 · Turbofan · 60000
Seats240

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (277 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured277
Total277
Crew 1Age 57 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind120° @ 5 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingOvercast 1400 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 57
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time04:21
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data