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

January 19, 2006 · Boeing B777-200B · N798UA

Denver, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
January 19, 2006
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (184 uninjured)
Location
Denver, CO
Aircraft
Boeing B777-200B
Tail Number
N798UA
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
DEN06IA034

The airplane was parked at the remote deicing pad and type 4 deicing fluid was being applied to the right rear quadrant and the right wing of the airplane using a deicing truck with a boom. The truck's boom was raised at the time. The driver maneuvered the vehicle too close to the right wing trailing edge at the aileron resulting in the mid-section of the boom coming in contact with the wing. The boom operator cleared the wing for movement when she was not actually clear. The airplane and truck sustained minor damage. An operational inspection of the truck revealed no anomalies. The routine aviation weather report reported visibility, 1/2 statute miles, light snow, and mist.

NTSB Probable Cause

the truck driver's failure to maintain clearance from the airplane and the boom operator's failure to adequately clear the boom from the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the low visibility due to snow and mist.

Full Narrative

On January 19, 2006, approximately 1115 mountain standard time, a Boeing B777-200B, N798UA, owned and operated by United Airlines, sustained minor damage when it was struck by a de-icing truck at deicing pad 3W, Denver International Airport (DEN), Denver, Colorado. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the incident. The scheduled domestic passenger flight was being operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 121 on an instrument flight rules flight plan. The captain, first officer, 9 cabin crew and 173 passengers were uninjured. The flight had departed the gate at 1030 and was en route to Chicago, Illinois. According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Incident Report Form 6120.1/2, the airplane was parked at the remote deicing pad 3W. Type 4 deicing fluid was being applied to the right rear quadrant and the right wing of the airplane using a deicing truck with boom. The deicing truck was moving in the area of the right wing trailing edge, forward toward the wingtip. The truck's boom was raised at the time. The driver maneuvered the vehicle too close to the right wing trailing edge at the aileron resulting in the mid-section of the boom coming in contact with the wing. The right aileron was crushed forward, wrinkled and torn. The airplane returned to the gate where passengers were deplaned uneventfully. The boom on the de-icing truck sustained scratched paint and a small crease in the sheet metal covering. An operational inspection of the truck revealed no anomalies. According to the written statements from the boom operator and deicing truck driver, the boom operator cleared the wing for movement when she was not actually clear. The United Airlines incident report stated that due to falling snow, visibility was poor. The closest official weather observation station was DEN which was located 2 nautical miles east of the occurrence site. The elevation of the weather observation station was 5,431 feet mean sea level. The routine aviation weather report (METAR) for DEN, issued at 1117, reported, wind, 100 degrees at 6 knots; visibility, 1/2 statute miles..., light snow, mist; sky condition, few 700 feet above ground level (agl), overcast, 1,800 feet agl; temperature minus 2 degrees Celsius (C); dewpoint, minus 03 degrees C; altimeter 29.86 inches; remarks, surface visibility 3/4.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time11:15 MST
Nearest AirportDenver Intl (2nm)
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBoeing B777-200B
Tail NumberN798UA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney · 4090 · Turbofan · 90000

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (184 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured184
Total184
Crew 1Age 57 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 45 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind100° @ 6 kt
Visibility0.8 sm
CeilingOvercast 1800 ft
Temperature / Dew Point28 C / 27 C
Altimeter29.86 inHg
Observation Time18:17
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data