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
February 3, 1982 · Mcdonnell-Douglas DC-10-10 · N1814U
Philadelphia, PA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 3, 1982
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 154 uninjured
Location
Philadelphia, PA
Aircraft
Mcdonnell-Douglas DC-10-10
Tail Number
N1814U
Operator
United Airlines
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
DCA82AA014
The aircrews of a United DC-10 (FLT 99 Heavy) and two U.S. Air DC-9's (FLT 25 and FLT 199) taxied for takeoff at about the same time. Due to delays, the No. 2 engine of FLT 199 was shut down in accordance with applicable fuel conservation procedures. After FLT 99 was cleared for takeoff, the aircrew of FLT 199 started their engine, but it torched and emitted flames from the tail cone. The captain of FLT 25 saw the flames and transmitted on tower frequency, "99, you're right engine's on fire." At about that time, United FLT 99 Heavy was lifting off. Thinking he had an engine fire, the captain of United FLT 99 Heavy aborted above V1/VR rather than continuing into a low ceiling with fog and rain. The captain thought he could stop on the hard surface, but was unable. The plane came to rest on muddy terrain. One passenger was injured during evacuation. During this sequence, the tower controller was unable to see the runway due to the low visibility (3/8 mi).
Full Narrative
THE AIRCREWS OF A UNITED DC-10 (FLT 99 HEAVY) AND TWO U.S. AIR DC-9'S (FLT 25 AND FLT 199) TAXIED FOR TAKEOFF AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME. DUE TO DELAYS, THE NO. 2 ENGINE OF FLT 199 WAS SHUT DOWN IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE FUEL CONSERVATION PROCEDURES. AFTER FLT 99 WAS CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF, THE AIRCREW OF FLT 199 STARTED THEIR ENGINE, BUT IT TORCHED AND EMITTED FLAMES FROM THE TAIL CONE. THE CAPTAIN OF FLT 25 SAW THE FLAMES AND TRANSMITTED ON TOWER FREQUENCY, "99, YOU'RE RIGHT ENGINE'S ON FIRE." AT ABOUT THAT TIME, UNITED FLT 99 HEAVY WAS LIFTING OFF. THINKING HE HAD AN ENGINE FIRE, THE CAPTAIN OF UNITED FLT 99 HEAVY ABORTED ABOVE V1/VR RATHER THAN CONTINUING INTO A LOW CEILING WITH FOG AND RAIN. THE CAPTAIN THOUGHT HE COULD STOP ON THE HARD SURFACE, BUT WAS UNABLE. THE PLANE CAME TO REST ON MUDDY TERRAIN. ONE PASSENGER WAS INJURED DURING EVACUATION. DURING THIS SEQUENCE, THE TOWER CONTROLLER WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE RUNWAY DUETO THE LOW VISIBILITY (3/8 MI).
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:02 EST
Nearest AirportPhiladelphia Intl (0nm N)
Runway9L
Runway Length9500 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftMcdonnell-Douglas DC-10-10
Tail NumberN1814U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
OperatorUnited Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines3
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsGe · CF6-6D · Turbofan · 40000
Seats254
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 154 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured154
Total155
Crew 1Age 55 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind60° @ 4 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point10 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time10:50