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 12, 1986 · Boeing 727-223 · N877AA
Memphis, TN
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 12, 1986
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury), 68 uninjured
Location
Memphis, TN
Aircraft
Boeing 727-223
Tail Number
N877AA
Operator
American Airlines
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
ATL86LA090
AMERICAN AIRLINES FLIGHT 502 EXPERIENCED A FIRE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATION ON NO. 1 ENGINE AS THE AIRCRAFT WAS CLIMBING THROUGH 6000 FEET. THE PILOT DECLARED AN EMERGENCY AND RETURNED TO MEMPHIS. FOLLOWING THE LANDING THE PILOT ORDERED A PASSENGER EMERGENCY EVACUATION. DURING THE EVACUATION THE REAR SLIDE DEFLATED AFTER THE SLIDE MATERIAL WAS PUNCTURED. THE EXAMINATION OF THE MATERIAL DISCLOSED THAT THE PUNCTURE WAS THE RESULT OF A SHOE HEEL. THE EXAMINATION OF THE FIRE WARNING SYSTEM DISCLOSED THAT A DUCT CONNECTOR IN THE SYSTEM HAD FAILED. THE INJURY RECEIVED BY THE INJURED PASSENGER RESULTED FROM JUMPING OFF THE LEFT WING SURFACE DURING THE EVACUATION PHASE.
Full Narrative
AMERICAN AIRLINES FLIGHT 502 EXPERIENCED A FIRE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATION ON NO. 1 ENGINE AS THE AIRCRAFT WAS CLIMBING THROUGH 6000 FEET. THE PILOT DECLARED AN EMERGENCY AND RETURNED TO MEMPHIS. FOLLOWING THE LANDING THE PILOT ORDERED A PASSENGER EMERGENCY EVACUATION. DURING THE EVACUATION THE REAR SLIDE DEFLATED AFTER THE SLIDE MATERIAL WAS PUNCTURED. THE EXAMINATION OF THE MATERIAL DISCLOSED THAT THE PUNCTURE WAS THE RESULT OF A SHOE HEEL. THE EXAMINATION OF THE FIRE WARNING SYSTEM DISCLOSED THAT A DUCT CONNECTOR IN THE SYSTEM HAD FAILED. THE INJURY RECEIVED BY THE INJURED PASSENGER RESULTED FROM JUMPING OFF THE LEFT WING SURFACE DURING THE EVACUATION PHASE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:17 CST
Nearest AirportMEMPHIS (0nm N)
Runway17R
Runway Length9300 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBoeing 727-223
Tail NumberN877AA
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorAmerican Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines3
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsP&W · JT8D-9A · Turbofan · 14500
Seats150
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury), 68 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured68
Total70
Crew 1Age 53 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time13:30
Weather SourceWFAC