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

December 1, 2011 · Learjet 45 · N570AM

Chicago, IL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
December 1, 2011
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (85 uninjured)
Location
Chicago, IL
Aircraft
Learjet 45
Tail Number
N570AM
Operator
Air Clayco
Injuries
None
NTSB Number
OPS12IA167

A runway incursion occurred when a Boeing 737-700 (B737) was cleared by a tower local controller to cross a runway immediately after a Learjet 45 was cleared for takeoff on the same runway. The first officer of the B737 saw the departing Learjet and warned the captain, who stopped the B737 short of the runway edge. Air traffic control personnel did not take any actions to resolve the conflict between the two airplanes. Recorded data indicated that the Learjet passed within 287 feet laterally and 62 feet vertically of the B737.

NTSB Probable Cause

The tower local controller did not ensure that the runway was clear of conflict before directing the B737 to cross the runway, and other air traffic control personnel did not effectively intervene when the separation between the two airplanes became questionable.

Full Narrative

At 0907 on December 1, 2011, a runway incursion and operational error occurred at MDW when Southwest Airlines flight 844 (SWA844), a Boeing 737-700, was cleared to cross runway 31R immediately after Gama Charters flight 17 (GAJ17), a Learjet 45, was cleared for takeoff on the same runway. After landing on runway 31C, the crew of SWA844 was instructed to cross runway 31R and contact ground control. GAJ17 was departing from runway 31R at the time, and conflicted with SWA844 as the B737 crossed the hold-short line for runway 31R at taxiway N. The first officer of SWA844 saw the Learjet departing runway 31R and warned the captain, who was at the controls, to stop. The captain stopped the B737 short of the runway edge. Air traffic control did not take any actions to resolve the conflict between the two aircraft. After the incident, the captain of SWA844 said that the departing Learjet had overflown his aircraft. Recorded FAA data indicated that the closest proximity as the Learjet passed the B737 was 287 feet laterally and 62 feet vertically. Although MDW is equipped with an Airport Surface Detection Equipment – X (ASDE-X) ground movement safety system that included conflict detection and warning capability, the system did not sound an alarm during the incident. The 0851 weather observation for MDW was wind 180 degrees at 4 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, few clouds at 15,000 feet above ground level (AGL), broken clouds at 20,000 feet AGL, broken clouds at 25,000 feet AGL, temperature 1 degree Celsius, dew point minus 4 degrees Celsius, altimeter 30.26 inches of mercury. For further information, see the Air Traffic Control Group Chairman's Factual Report included in the docket for this incident.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time08:07 CST
Nearest AirportChicago Midway (0nm)
Runway31R
Runway Length5141 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftLearjet 45
Tail NumberN570AM
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorAir Clayco
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsHoneywell · TFE-731-SER · Turbofan · 4000 | Honeywell · TFE-731-SER · Turbofan · 4000 | Cfm Intl. · CFM56 SERIES · Turbofan · 2200
Seats12

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (85 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured85
Total85

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 20000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point34 C / 25 C
Altimeter30.26 inHg
Observation Time14:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data