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

June 17, 2006 · Boeing 767-300 · N653UA

Dulles, VA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 17, 2006
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (183 uninjured)
Location
Dulles, VA
Aircraft
Boeing 767-300
Tail Number
N653UA
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC06LA151

The airplane was at the gate with the crew and passengers onboard, the parking brake was set, and the loading bridge was retracted. A ramp employee, operating a tractor with a baggage cart in tow, was on the left side of the airplane when a pushback guideman on the right side of the airplane signaled that he needed hand wands for the pushback. Forgetting he had a baggage cart in tow, the driver drove under the fuselage to reach the guideman. In the process, the baggage cart impacted the underside of the fuselage about 25 feet aft of the nose and 17 feet in front of the wings. The driver subsequently stated to company officials that he did not follow standard operating procedures when he drove under the fuselage, and that, while trying to ensure an on-time departure, he forgot he had the baggage cart attached to the tractor. The driver was current on all required training.

NTSB Probable Cause

The driver's failure to follow company standard operating procedures. A factor was the driver's diverted attention to an on-time departure.

Full Narrative

On June 17, 2006, about 1525 eastern daylight time, a Boeing 767-300, N653UA, operating as United Airlines flight 395, was substantially damaged when it was hit by a baggage cart at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), Dulles, Virginia. The 7 crewmembers and 176 passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules flight plan had been filed for Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), Chicago, Illinois. The scheduled passenger flight was being operated under 14 CFR Part 121. According to a company flight safety investigator, the airplane was at the gate with the parking brake set, and the loading bridge had been retracted. A ramp employee, operating a tractor with a baggage cart in tow, was on the left side of the airplane when a pushback guideman on the right side of the airplane signaled that he needed hand wands for the pushback. Forgetting he had a baggage cart in tow, the driver drove under the fuselage to reach the guideman. In the process, the baggage cart impacted the underside of the fuselage about 25 feet aft of the nose and 17 feet in front of the wings. The driver subsequently stated to company officials that he did not follow standard operating procedures when he drove under the fuselage, and that, while trying to ensure an on-time departure, he forgot he had the baggage cart attached to the tractor. The driver was current in all required training.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:25 EDT
Nearest AirportWashington-Dulles (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBoeing 767-300
Tail NumberN653UA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney · PW4000 · Turbofan · 64500 | Pratt & Whitney · PW4000 · Turbofan · 64500
Seats205

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (183 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured183
Total183
Crew 1Age 54 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 40 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point57
Altimeter30.13 inHg
Observation Time18:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data