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
March 7, 1988 · Swearingen SA226T · N600TA
Chicago, IL
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
March 7, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (17 uninjured)
Location
Chicago, IL
Aircraft
Swearingen SA226T
Tail Number
N600TA
Injuries
None
NTSB Number
CHI88IA074
As Piper PA-31T, N484SC, was on an IFR departure from RWY 18 at Merril C Meigs Arpt, Swearingen SA226T, N600TA was on an IFR arrival. Subsequently, the 2 acft converged aprx 3 mi south of the Arpt. The crew of N484SC saw N600TA & turned to maintain separation. The passing distance was estimated to be about 2000 ft. An investigation revealed that as N600TA was arriving, the South Satellite Sector #1 controller (ctlr) at Chicago O'Hare TRACON had clrd the crew to dscnd & maintain 2000 ft. When they (N600TA) advised that Meigs was in sight, the Sector #1 ctlr clrd them for a visual apch & told them to contact Meigs Tower. At about that time, the South Satellite Sector #3 ctlr at TRACON was in contact with Meigs Tower to provide info about N600TA concerning another matter & had released N484SC for a south-bound departure. When the Sector #3 ctlr provided the release, he was unaware N600TA had been clrd for a visual apch. When N600TA contacted Meigs Tower, the Meigs Tower ctlr thought it was on a VFR arrival. Vis restricted by fog & haze.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE TRACON SUPERVISOR FAILED TO COMPLY WITH THE ESTABLISHED VISUAL MINIMA CRITERIA AND HIS INCORRECT ISSUANCE OF A VISUAL APPROACH TO AN ARRIVING AIRCRAFT.
Full Narrative
AS PIPER PA-31T, N484SC, WAS ON AN IFR DEPARTURE FROM RWY 18 AT MERRIL C MEIGS ARPT, SWEARINGEN SA226T, N600TA WAS ON AN IFR ARRIVAL. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE 2 ACFT CONVERGED APRX 3 MI SOUTH OF THE ARPT. THE CREW OF N484SC SAW N600TA & TURNED TO MAINTAIN SEPARATION. THE PASSING DISTANCE WAS ESTIMATED TO BE ABOUT 2000 FT. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT AS N600TA WAS ARRIVING, THE SOUTH SATELLITE SECTOR #1 CONTROLLER (CTLR) AT CHICAGO O'HARE TRACON HAD CLRD THE CREW TO DSCND & MAINTAIN 2000 FT. WHEN THEY (N600TA) ADVISED THAT MEIGS WAS IN SIGHT, THE SECTOR #1 CTLR CLRD THEM FOR A VISUAL APCH & TOLD THEM TO CONTACT MEIGS TOWER. AT ABOUT THAT TIME, THE SOUTH SATELLITE SECTOR #3 CTLR AT TRACON WAS IN CONTACT WITH MEIGS TOWER TO PROVIDE INFO ABOUT N600TA CONCERNING ANOTHER MATTER & HAD RELEASED N484SC FOR A SOUTH- BOUND DEPARTURE. WHEN THE SECTOR #3 CTLR PROVIDED THE RELEASE, HE WAS UNAWARE N600TA HAD BEEN CLRD FOR A VISUAL APCH. WHEN N600TA CONTACTED MEIGS TOWER, THE MEIGS TOWER CTLR THOUGHT IT WAS ON A VFR ARRIVAL. VIS RESTRICTED BY FOG & HAZE.
Flight
Event TypeIncident
Event Time17:42 CST
Nearest AirportMEIGS (0nm N)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftSwearingen SA226T
Tail NumberN600TA
Aircraft CategoryAir
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsGarrett · TPE-331 · Turboprop · 840 | P&W · PT6A · Turboprop · 620
Seats22
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (17 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured17
Total17
Crew 1Age 37 · First Class
Crew 2Age 41 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind120° @ 8 kt
Visibility3 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point43 C / 34 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:45
Weather SourceWFAC