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 11, 2013 · Beech E90 NO Series · N60BA

Eau Claire, WI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
December 11, 2013
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Eau Claire, WI
Aircraft
Beech E90 NO Series (1993)
Tail Number
N60BA
Operator
Bemidji Aviation Services
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
CEN14IA085

The operator reported that, while in cruise flight at flight level 190, the copilot's inner layer windshield cracked. Windshield heat was not being used at the time, and pressurization was not compromised. The pilot conducted a precautionary landing without incident. Examinations of the windshield revealed that the inner glass ply had fractured due to a peel adhesion chip at the windshield's lower forward corner. The peel chip developed as a result of the differences in coefficient of expansion between the inboard glass ply and vinyl interlayer and had propagated due to mechanical and thermal expansion stresses until the center tension of the thermally tempered glass was penetrated, which caused a spontaneous fracture. The windshield was redesigned in 2001 to reduce the thermal expansion stresses.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the copilot’s windshield inner layer due to a peel chip that developed as a result of mechanical and thermal expansion stresses.

Full Narrative

On December 11, 2013, at 1008 central standard time, the pilot of a Beech E90, N60BA, operating as flight 25, made a precautionary landing at Chippewa Valley Regional Airport (KEAU), Eau Claire, Wisconsin, after the copilot's windshield cracked in flight. The pilot and one passenger were not injured. The airplane sustained minor damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by Bemidji Aviation Services, Inc. (BEMA), Bemidji, Minnesota, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 as a non-scheduled domestic passenger flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the incident, and an instrument flight rules flight plan had been filed. The flight originated from Park Rapids, Minnesota, and was en route to Wheeling Illinois. According to the operator, the airplane was at FL (flight level) 190 when the copilot's inner layer windshield cracked. Windshield heat was not being used and pressurization was not compromised. The pilot put on his oxygen mask, and descended to 10,000 feet. A precautionary landing was made at KEAU without incident. The airplane was later ferried to its base in Bemidji, Minnesota. The windshield was removed and shipped to PPG Aerospace in Huntsville, Alabama, where, on May 6, 2014, it was examined under the auspices of the National Transportation Safety Board. The windshield, part number 50-420069-32 CHGA, serial # 95061H3863, was manufactured in March 1995. The inner glass ply fractured due to a peel adhesion chip at the lower forward corner of the windshield. The peel chip developed as a result of the differences in coefficient of expansion between the inboard glass ply and vinyl interlayer. The peel adhesion chip propagated, becoming wider and deeper due to mechanical and thermal stress encountered in service, until the center tension of the thermally tempered glass was penetrated causing spontaneous fracture. In 2001, PPG Aerospace redesigned the windshield adding a urethane interlayer next to the outboard surface of the inboard glass ply. This reduced the thermal expansion stresses on the glass surface. The new windshield now bears part number 50-420069-37/-38.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time10:08 CST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech E90 NO Series
Tail NumberN60BA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
OperatorBemidji Aviation Services
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney Canada · PT6A-28 · Turboprop | Pratt & Whitney Canada · PT6A-28 · Turboprop
Seats6 + 2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 47 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind280° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point-9 C / -15 C
Altimeter30.44 inHg
Observation Time15:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data