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

November 6, 1987 · Cessna 401A · N6250Q

Mobile, AL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 6, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Mobile, AL
Aircraft
Cessna 401A
Tail Number
N6250Q
Operator
Montgomery Air Service
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL88LA031

THE PLT RELATED THAT HE WAS CLIMBING THROUGH 4,300 FT WHEN HE LOST THE LEFT TURBOCHARGER. HE THEN NOTED SPARKS AND THEN FIRE FROM THE ENGINE. HE SHUT OFF THE FUEL, WAITED FOR THE FIRE TO GO OUT AND FEATHERED THE PROPELLER. THE FLT WAS CONTINUED TO MONTGOMERY, AL WHERE THE ACFT WAS BASED AND A NO FLAP LANDING WAS EXECUTED. NO FURTHER PROBLEMS WERE ENCOUNTERED. INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE COUPLING FROM THE EXHAUST TO THE WASTE GATE HAD FAILED ALLOWING EXHAUST GASES TO ESCAPE INTO THE ENGINE COWLING. ACFT DAMAGE INCLUDED ENGINE MOUNT BEAMS AND THE WING SPAR THROUGH THE ENGINE NACELLE. AD 75-23-08 R5 DOES NOT APPLY TO THE FRACTURED COMPONENT.

Full Narrative

THE PLT RELATED THAT HE WAS CLIMBING THROUGH 4,300 FT WHEN HE LOST THE LEFT TURBOCHARGER. HE THEN NOTED SPARKS AND THEN FIRE FROM THE ENGINE. HE SHUT OFF THE FUEL, WAITED FOR THE FIRE TO GO OUT AND FEATHERED THE PROPELLER. THE FLT WAS CONTINUED TO MONTGOMERY, AL WHERE THE ACFT WAS BASED AND A NO FLAP LANDING WAS EXECUTED. NO FURTHER PROBLEMS WERE ENCOUNTERED. INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE COUPLING FROM THE EXHAUST TO THE WASTE GATE HAD FAILED ALLOWING EXHAUST GASES TO ESCAPE INTO THE ENGINE COWLING. ACFT DAMAGE INCLUDED ENGINE MOUNT BEAMS AND THE WING SPAR THROUGH THE ENGINE NACELLE. AD 75-23-08 R5 DOES NOT APPLY TO THE FRACTURED COMPONENT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:55 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireIflt
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 401A
Tail NumberN6250Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMontgomery Air Service
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520-E · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 68 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
WindCalm
Visibility9 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 19 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time00:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data