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
April 23, 1987 · Swearingen SA-226TC · N505LB
Wilmington, NC
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 23, 1987
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Wilmington, NC
Aircraft
Swearingen SA-226TC
Tail Number
N505LB
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL87FA123
THE RIGHT ENGINE FAILED DURING TAKEOFF IMMEDIATELY AFTER ROTATION 3000' DOWN THE 7,002' RWY 16. THE PLT CONTINUED THE FLT AND THE LANDING GEAR REMAINED EXTENDED. THE UNAUTHORIZED PLT RATED PAX MADE XMISSIONS TO THE TOWER. WITNESSES RPTED THAT THE ACFT REACHED APPROX. 150' THEN DESCENDED INTO TREES 20 DEGREES TO THE RIGHT OF RWY CENTERLINE AND 3,000' SOUTH OF THE ARPT. THE PRE- 1979 3RD STAGE STATOR ASSY IN THE RIGHT ENGINE DID NOT HAVE THE LATEST MANUFACTURE WELDING PROCESS/INSPECTION AND FAILED CAUSING THE UNCONTAINED TURBINE FAILURE. INSTRUMENTS IN THE WRECKAGE INDICATED THAT AN UNDETERMINABLE LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER OCCURRED AT THE TIME OF ENGINE FAILURE. PERFORMANCE DATA INDICATED THAT A SAFE LANDING COULD HAVE BEEN MADE ON THE REMAINING RWY PAST THE POINT OF ENGINE FAILURE.
Full Narrative
THE RIGHT ENGINE FAILED DURING TAKEOFF IMMEDIATELY AFTER ROTATION 3000' DOWN THE 7,002' RWY 16. THE PLT CONTINUED THE FLT AND THE LANDING GEAR REMAINED EXTENDED. THE UNAUTHORIZED PLT RATED PAX MADE XMISSIONS TO THE TOWER. WITNESSES RPTED THAT THE ACFT REACHED APPROX. 150' THEN DESCENDED INTO TREES 20 DEGREES TO THE RIGHT OF RWY CENTERLINE AND 3,000' SOUTH OF THE ARPT. THE PRE- 1979 3RD STAGE STATOR ASSY IN THE RIGHT ENGINE DID NOT HAVE THE LATEST MANUFACTURE WELDING PROCESS/INSPECTION AND FAILED CAUSING THE UNCONTAINED TURBINE FAILURE. INSTRUMENTS IN THE WRECKAGE INDICATED THAT AN UNDETERMINABLE LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER OCCURRED AT THE TIME OF ENGINE FAILURE. PERFORMANCE DATA INDICATED THAT A SAFE LANDING COULD HAVE BEEN MADE ON THE REMAINING RWY PAST THE POINT OF ENGINE FAILURE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:35 EDT
Nearest AirportNew Hanover (1nm S)
Runway16
Runway Length7002 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftSwearingen SA-226TC
Tail NumberN505LB
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsGarrett · TPE 331-3UW · Turboprop · 840
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 32 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 9 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 64 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time23:36
Weather SourceWFAC