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

September 3, 2020 · Cessna 340 A · N5178J

Oklahoma City, OK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 3, 2020
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Oklahoma City, OK
Aircraft
Cessna 340 A (1975)
Tail Number
N5178J
Operator
Skymed
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN20LA378

While climbing through 17,000 ft mean sea level (msl) during a cross-country flight, the pilot completed a transition check and verified that the cabin pressure altitude was 8,000 ft and the pressure differential was within limits. As the airplane climbed through 18,000 ft msl, the right windscreen blew out. The pilot returned to the departure airport and landed the airplane without further incident. Six pieces of acrylic material that comprised the complete outer circumference of the windscreen remained attached to the airframe. The section of windscreen that was blown out during flight was unaccounted for. The fracture surfaces of the remnants were consistent with overstress separation. The pilot’s statement of events did not indicate a malfunction of the aircraft’s pressurization system. The origination point of the failure was not identified, and the reason for the windscreen failure could not be determined based on available evidence.

NTSB Probable Cause

A failure of the windscreen for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.

Full Narrative

On September 3, 2020, a Cessna 340 airplane, N5178J, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot was flying from Oklahoma to Texas. He performed a transition check as the airplane passed through 17,000 ft mean sea level (msl) and the cabin pressure altitude was 8,000 ft. He noted the pressure differential was 3, which was below the maximum pressure differential of 4.3. About 50 miles southwest of Oklahoma City, as the airplane passed 18,000 ft msl, the right windscreen blew out. The pilot returned to the departure airport and landed without further incident. As the windscreen is considered part of the structure of a pressurized aircraft; the airplane was substantially damaged. Six pieces of acrylic material that comprised the complete outer circumference of the windshield remained within the airframe (see figure 1). The remnants measured approximately 35 inches tall by 31 inches wide when laid out on a flat surface as oriented when installed. The blown-out section of the windshield material, measuring about 21 inches by 31 inches, was not recovered. Figure 1. Remaining windscreen Examination of the windscreen remnants found no significant signs of aging and no visible signs of crazing. The fracture surfaces were consistent with overstress separation. The origination point of the failure could not be identified on the available remnants.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:15 CDT
Nearest Airport50nm S
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 340 A
Tail NumberN5178J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSkymed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520 SER · Reciprocating | Continental · TSIO-520 SER · Reciprocating
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 46 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility6 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data