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
September 9, 1985 · Fokker F27-500 · N242MA
Chicago, IL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Incident
Date
September 9, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (32 uninjured)
Location
Chicago, IL
Aircraft
Fokker F27-500
Tail Number
N242MA
Operator
Midstate Airlines
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
CHI85IA369
AT ABOUT THE TIME FULL POWER WAS OBTAINED THE HEARD A LOUD BANG FOLLOWED BY A FIRE WARNING FOR THE LEFT ENGINE. THE TAKEOFF WAS ABORTED AND THE CREW SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE. THE PASSENGERS WERE DEPLANED ON THE TAXIWAY AFTER IT WAS DETERMINED THE FIRE WAS OUT & THERE WAS NO MORE DANGER. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE LOW PRESSURE IMPELLER FAILED IN A HIGH CYCLE FATIGUE MODE.
Full Narrative
AT ABOUT THE TIME FULL POWER WAS OBTAINED THE HEARD A LOUD BANG FOLLOWED BY A FIRE WARNING FOR THE LEFT ENGINE. THE TAKEOFF WAS ABORTED AND THE CREW SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE. THE PASSENGERS WERE DEPLANED ON THE TAXIWAY AFTER IT WAS DETERMINED THE FIRE WAS OUT & THERE WAS NO MORE DANGER. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE LOW PRESSURE IMPELLER FAILED IN A HIGH CYCLE FATIGUE MODE.
Flight
Event TypeIncident
Event Time08:20 CDT
Nearest AirportO'Hara Iap (0nm N)
Runway14
Runway Length10003 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftFokker F27-500
Tail NumberN242MA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
OperatorMidstate Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsRolls-Royce · DART 535-7R · Turboprop · 2250
Seats55
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (32 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured32
Total32
Crew 1Age 44 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind190° @ 8 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingOvercast 1100 ft
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter0
Observation Time14:00
Weather SourceWFAC