Overall Trends
Total, fatal, and serious accidents in the selected range.
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
Search everything
Fast key and full-text search with live filters, watches, and precise metadata.
Use quotes for exact phrase matches (for example "fuel selector valve").
Featured 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…
High-signal investigations
Major cases, deep-report coverage, and investigation media across decades of NTSB history.
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 manufacturersAirports
More airportsOperators
More operatorsAbout
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
January 21, 1991 · Boeing 727-251 · N295US
St. Paul, MN
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
January 21, 1991
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (44 uninjured)
Location
St. Paul, MN
Aircraft
Boeing 727-251
Tail Number
N295US
Operator
Northwest Airlines
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
CHI91IA078
THE FLIGHT CREW WAS INFORMED BY THE TOWER OF A FIRE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE AIRPLANE WHILE TAXIING FOR TAKEOFF. THE FIRE PRECEEDED BY UTILIZING THE AUXILARY POWER UNIT (APU) FOR A MAIN ENGINE START. THE MAIN ENGINE START WAS ABORTED WHEN THE APU FAILED TO DELIVER SUFFICIENT BLEED AIR PRESSURE. A POST INCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE APU DISCLOSED A LIBERATED TURBINE EXDUCER BLADE WHICH CAUSED AN IMBALANCE OF THE TURBINE WHEEL, ALLOWING SMOPKE AND FLAMES TO ESCAPE FROM THE APU EXHAUST ATOP THE RIGHT WING ROOT. THERE HAS BEEN 7 SERVICE DIFFICULTY REPORTS AND 4 ACCIDENTS/INCIDENTS ASSOCIATED WITH EXDUCER FAILURES IN THIS MODEL APU IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PARTIAL FAILURE OF THE AIRPLANE'S AUXILIARY POWER UNIT, AND THE INADEQUATE COMPONENT PRODUCED BY THE MANUFACTURER.
Full Narrative
THE FLIGHT CREW WAS INFORMED BY THE TOWER OF A FIRE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE AIRPLANE WHILE TAXIING FOR TAKEOFF. THE FIRE PRECEEDED BY UTILIZING THE AUXILARY POWER UNIT (APU) FOR A MAIN ENGINE START. THE MAIN ENGINE START WAS ABORTED WHEN THE APU FAILED TO DELIVER SUFFICIENT BLEED AIR PRESSURE. A POST INCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE APU DISCLOSED A LIBERATED TURBINE EXDUCER BLADE WHICH CAUSED AN IMBALANCE OF THE TURBINE WHEEL, ALLOWING SMOPKE AND FLAMES TO ESCAPE FROM THE APU EXHAUST ATOP THE RIGHT WING ROOT. THERE HAS BEEN 7 SERVICE DIFFICULTY REPORTS AND 4 ACCIDENTS/INCIDENTS ASSOCIATED WITH EXDUCER FAILURES IN THIS MODEL APU IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS.
Flight
Event TypeIncident
Event Time20:45 CST
Nearest AirportMineapolis St. Paul (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBoeing 727-251
Tail NumberN295US
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
OperatorNorthwest Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines3
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsP&W · JT8D-15 · Turbofan · 15000
Seats153
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (44 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured44
Total44
Crew 1Age 37 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
Wind340° @ 12 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point9 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time01:50
Weather SourceWFAC