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

October 7, 1993 · Douglas DC-3C · N781T

San Juan, PR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 7, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
San Juan, PR
Aircraft
Douglas DC-3C
Tail Number
N781T
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA94LA003

AFTER AN UNEVENTFUL LANDING WHILE TAXIING, THE CAPTAIN NOTICED THAT A SECTION OF THE LEFT WING WAS BENT UP. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THAT RIB NO. 19 IN THE LEFT WING FAILED CHORDWISE MIDPOINT BETWEEN A ROW OF RIVETS AND NUTPLATES ON THE LOWER ATTACH ANGLE DUE TO EXFOLIATION CORROSION. THE FAA APPROVED 50-HOUR INSPECTION REQUIRES VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE ATTACH ANGLE AND BOLTS BUT DOES NOT REQUIRE REMOVAL OF THE WING TIP.

NTSB Probable Cause

PARTIAL FAILURE OF A WING RIB DUE TO EXFOLIATION CORROSION AND INADEQUATE INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT BY COMPANY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL.

Full Narrative

On October 7, 1993, about 1940, Atlantic standard time, a Douglas DC-3C, N781T, registered to and operated by Tol Air Services, Inc., under 14 CFR Part 135, flight No. 522, as a nonscheduled, international, cargo flight, was substantially damaged on landing at the Luis Munoz Marin International Airport, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and an IFR flight plan was filed for the flight from Santiago, Dominican Republic. The airline transport-rated captain and commercial-rated copilot were not injured. The flight originated about 2 hours 2 minutes earlier. The pilot-in-command stated that the second pilot had landed the airplane and while taxiing, he observed that an outer section of the left wing was bent up. Examination of the airplane revealed that Rib No. 19 of the left wing failed. The failed rib was removed and sent to Douglas Aircraft Company for analysis. Analysis of the rib revealed that it failed chordwise due to exfoliation corrosion midpoint between the rivet line and the nutplate line on the lower horizontal section. According to McDonnell Douglas personnel, the location of the corrosion could not be observed by a flightcrew when performing a walk around inspection but can be observed during the FAA approved 50-hour inspection. Review of the FAA approved 50-hour inspection checklist used for the inspection specifically states to inspect all interior structures for corrosion, damage condition and security. Additionally, the outer wing attach angles and bolts are required to be inspected.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:40 AST
Nearest AirportLuis Munoz Marin Int'L (0nm)
Runway10
Runway Length8016 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDouglas DC-3C
Tail NumberN781T
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R1830-92 · Reciprocating · 1200
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 30 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind90° @ 6 kt
Visibility13 sm
CeilingOvercast 28000 ft
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time23:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data