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
December 15, 1990 · British Aerospace BAE 146-200 BAE 146-20 · N609AW
Denver, CO
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
December 15, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (57 uninjured)
Location
Denver, CO
Aircraft
British Aerospace BAE 146-200 BAE 146-20
Tail Number
N609AW
Operator
Air Wisconsin
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
DEN91IA026
AS THE FLIGHT WAS CLIMBING THROUGH FL210, THE CREW HEARD AN EXPLOSION AND FLAMES WERE SEEN COMING FROM THE TAILPIPE OF NO.3 ENGINE. THE ENGINE WAS SECURED AND THE AIRPLANE LANDED UNEVENTFULLY. EXAMINATION REVEALED AN UNCONTAINED FAILURE. A PREEXISTING CRACK WAS FOUND IN THE NO.12 BLADE ON THE 4TH STAGE TURBINE WHEEEL. MAINTENANCE RECORDS DISCLOSED THE WHEEL HAD RECENTLY UNDERGONE A DYE PENETRANT INSPECTION. NO CRACKS WERE NOTED. THE ENGINE HAD ACCRUED 99 CYCLES AND 66 HOURS OVER A PERIOD OF 13 DAYS FROM THE TIME OF THE LAST INSPECTION AND THE TIME OF THE ENGINE FAILURE.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE NO.12 BLADE ON THE 4TH STAGE TURBINE WHEEL, AND FAILURE OF COMPANY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL TO IDENTIFY THE PREEXISTING CRACK DURING MAINTENANCE INSPECTION.
Full Narrative
AS THE FLIGHT WAS CLIMBING THROUGH FL210, THE CREW HEARD AN EXPLOSION AND FLAMES WERE SEEN COMING FROM THE TAILPIPE OF NO.3 ENGINE. THE ENGINE WAS SECURED AND THE AIRPLANE LANDED UNEVENTFULLY. EXAMINATION REVEALED AN UNCONTAINED FAILURE. A PREEXISTING CRACK WAS FOUND IN THE NO.12 BLADE ON THE 4TH STAGE TURBINE WHEEEL. MAINTENANCE RECORDS DISCLOSED THE WHEEL HAD RECENTLY UNDERGONE A DYE PENETRANT INSPECTION. NO CRACKS WERE NOTED. THE ENGINE HAD ACCRUED 99 CYCLES AND 66 HOURS OVER A PERIOD OF 13 DAYS FROM THE TIME OF THE LAST INSPECTION AND THE TIME OF THE ENGINE FAILURE.
Flight
Event TypeIncident
Event Time21:10 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBritish Aerospace BAE 146-200 BAE 146-20
Tail NumberN609AW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
OperatorAir Wisconsin
Operating RulePart 121
Engines4
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsLycoming · ALF-502-R-5 · Turbofan · 7000
Seats100
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (57 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured57
Total57
Crew 1Age 36 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time03:50
Weather SourceWFAC