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

September 9, 1987 · Cessna 310N · N4166Q

Williamsport, PA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 9, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Williamsport, PA
Aircraft
Cessna 310N
Tail Number
N4166Q
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC87LA256

AFTER LANDING, THE CARGO WAS UNLOADED & THE ACFT WAS PREPARED FOR DEPARTURE. THE PLT STATED THE PREFLIGHT WAS NORMAL & SATISFACTORY. HE RPRTD THAT WHEN THE LEFT ENG WAS STARTED, HE HEARD A LOUD 'POP' & OBSERVED 'FLAME TRACES AND SMOKE.' HE IMMEDIATELY SHUT DOWN THE ENG & EXITED THE ACFT TO INVESTIGATE. HE FOUND THAT ABOUT 4' OF THE OUTBOARD, LEADING EDGE SECTION OF THE LEFT WING HAD EXPLODED & BUCKLED. HE STATED THAT FLAMES & SMOKE WERE VISIBLE & IMMEDIATELY EXTINGUISHED. THE PLT RPRTD THE LEFT FUEL STRAINER CORK GASKET WAS FAULTY. DRY FUEL STAINS WERE FOUND ON THE BOTTOM OF THE LEFT WING, LEFT FLAP, LEFT ENG NACELLE & LEFT LANDING GEAR.

Full Narrative

AFTER LANDING, THE CARGO WAS UNLOADED & THE ACFT WAS PREPARED FOR DEPARTURE. THE PLT STATED THE PREFLIGHT WAS NORMAL & SATISFACTORY. HE RPRTD THAT WHEN THE LEFT ENG WAS STARTED, HE HEARD A LOUD 'POP' & OBSERVED 'FLAME TRACES AND SMOKE.' HE IMMEDIATELY SHUT DOWN THE ENG & EXITED THE ACFT TO INVESTIGATE. HE FOUND THAT ABOUT 4' OF THE OUTBOARD, LEADING EDGE SECTION OF THE LEFT WING HAD EXPLODED & BUCKLED. HE STATED THAT FLAMES & SMOKE WERE VISIBLE & IMMEDIATELY EXTINGUISHED. THE PLT RPRTD THE LEFT FUEL STRAINER CORK GASKET WAS FAULTY. DRY FUEL STAINS WERE FOUND ON THE BOTTOM OF THE LEFT WING, LEFT FLAP, LEFT ENG NACELLE & LEFT LANDING GEAR.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:52 EDT
Nearest AirportWilliamsport (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 310N
Tail NumberN4166Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-470-V · Reciprocating · 260
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 45 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 9 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data