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 27, 1987 · Boeing 727-231 · N54344
Miami, FL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Incident
Date
December 27, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (131 uninjured)
Location
Miami, FL
Aircraft
Boeing 727-231
Tail Number
N54344
Operator
Trans World Airlines
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
MIA88IA072
PLT WAS INSTRUCTED TO TURN THE TAIL TO THE RIGHT AS VIEWED BY THE SIGNAL MAN DURING POWER BACK. AS POWER BACK STARTED THE TAIL WAS TURNED TO THE LEFT AS VIEWED BY THE SIGNAL MAN. THE SIGNAL MAN CORRECTED THIS TURN BUT THE ACFT WAS NOW MAKING A MUCH LARGER ARC AND WAS APPROACHING THE AIRCRAFT PARKING AREA AT THE OPPOSITE CONCOURSE. THE SIGNAL MAN URGENTLY SIGNALED FOR THE PLT TO COME FORWARD BUT THE ACFT ROLLED BACK ANOTHER 40 TO 50 FEET STRIKING A PARKED CARGO LOADER. WITNESSES STATED THE ACFT WAS BEING POWER BACKED AT A MUCH GREATER SPEED THAN NORMAL.
Full Narrative
PLT WAS INSTRUCTED TO TURN THE TAIL TO THE RIGHT AS VIEWED BY THE SIGNAL MAN DURING POWER BACK. AS POWER BACK STARTED THE TAIL WAS TURNED TO THE LEFT AS VIEWED BY THE SIGNAL MAN. THE SIGNAL MAN CORRECTED THIS TURN BUT THE ACFT WAS NOW MAKING A MUCH LARGER ARC AND WAS APPROACHING THE AIRCRAFT PARKING AREA AT THE OPPOSITE CONCOURSE. THE SIGNAL MAN URGENTLY SIGNALED FOR THE PLT TO COME FORWARD BUT THE ACFT ROLLED BACK ANOTHER 40 TO 50 FEET STRIKING A PARKED CARGO LOADER. WITNESSES STATED THE ACFT WAS BEING POWER BACKED AT A MUCH GREATER SPEED THAN NORMAL.
Flight
Event TypeIncident
Event Time12:05 EST
Nearest AirportMiami International (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBoeing 727-231
Tail NumberN54344
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
OperatorTrans World Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines3
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsP&W · JT8D-9A · Turbofan · 14500
Seats156
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (131 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured131
Total131
Crew 1Age 50 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind110° @ 12 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:50
Weather SourceWFAC