# NTSB investigations: Explosion NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports. ## Latest cases - [NTSB ATL07LA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL07LA057.md): Beech 95-B55 · Atlanta, GA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 20, 2007 · N500JP · Substantial damage > The improper maintenance of the "B-nut" fitting adjacent to the fuel pump by maintenance personnel, resulting in a fuel leak and wing explosion. - [NTSB NYC04LA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04LA119.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Morrisville, VT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 9, 2004 · N151LL · Substantial damage > The improper installation of an electrical wire, which resulted in arching and the initiation of a fuel vapor explosion. A factor related to the accident was the failure of maintenance personnel to detect a cracked rubber fuel vent line nipple. - [NTSB ANC04LA052](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC04LA052.md): Douglas C-54B · McGrath, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 8, 2004 · N44911 · Substantial damage > A fuel tank explosion in the left wing auxiliary fuel tank, and subsequent fuel fire that occurred during engine start for an undetermined reason. - [NTSB SEA99FA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99FA060.md): Beech 36 · Portland, OR · Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report · May 8, 1999 · N6222V · Substantial damage > Improper installation of the strobe light system. Factors include a leak in the fuel bladder and electrical arcing. - [NTSB MIA98LA192](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98LA192.md): Cessna 310K · Opa-Locka, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 5, 1998 · N366J · Substantial damage > The fuel leak due to improper installation of the left auxiliary fuel tank by maintenance personnel. Also, inadequate annual inspection of the airplane by maintenance personnel for failure to identify the missing screw from the adel clamp resulting in chafing… - [NTSB DCA96MA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA96MA070.md): Boeing 747-131 · East Moriches, NY · Accident · 230 fatal · Class 1 · Major · Final report · Jul 18, 1996 · N93119 · Destroyed > An explosion of the center wing fuel tank (CWT), resulting from ignition of the flammable fuel/air mixture in the tank. The source of ignition energy for the explosion could not be determined with certainty, but, of the sources evaluated by the investigation,… - [NTSB CHI93IA346](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93IA346.md): Cessna 414A · Dickinson, ND · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Aug 30, 1993 · N36990 · Minor damage > the total failure of the airplane's heater system combustion air pressure safety switch. - [NTSB CHI93LA130](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA130.md): Beech B-55 · Green Bay, WI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 4, 1993 · N4167P · Substantial damage > Improper replacement of the right wing by maintenance personnel which resulted in the vapor return lines being reversed, and the auxiliary tank vent to be disconnected. - [NTSB LAX92LA276](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA276.md): Cessna 421B · Hayward, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 3, 1992 · N11BU · Substantial damage > The explosion of fuel vapors in the right wing due to the pilot's overpriming of the right engine during a start attempt and an uncorrected preexisting fuel system leak. A factor in the accident was inadequate maintenance performed on the aircraft. - [NTSB MIA89LA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA019.md): Piper PA-23-250 · San Juan, PR · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 29, 1988 · N5237Y · Substantial damage > The pilot noted an explosion in the right wing during engine start. He stated that the aircraft had been 'topped off' prior to the flight. Residue of fuel was found in the wing outside the fuel cells after the explosion. - [NTSB FTW87LA217](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA217.md): Cessna 401A · Wichita Falls, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 14, 1987 · N6249Q · Substantial damage > The pilot stated that the right engine quit after landing at the Wichita Falls, Texas airport. A witness stated that he attempted to start the engine several times when the right wing exploded during the last attempted engine restart. Damage was concentrated… - [NTSB SEA87MA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87MA018.md): Cessna 401 · Henderson, NV · Accident · 2 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Nov 6, 1986 · N3219Q · Destroyed > Approximately 5 1/2 minutes after departure and while the aircraft was climbing enroute, an unknown ignition source triggered an explosion of fuel/air vapor which existed within the interior of the left wing. Wing skin from the upper/lower wing surface was… - [NTSB NYC86FA183](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86FA183.md): Bell B-222A · Staten Island, NY · Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 17, 1986 · N404WW · Substantial damage > The helicopter, on a FAR 135 flight was in cruise flt at 900 ft. the plt was checking for called VFR traffic and the co-pilot was occuppied with the RNAV when a loud bang was heard and a sudden yaw was felt. Both crew members stated they reacted as instructed… - [NTSB NYC86FA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86FA092.md): Aerospatiale AS350D · Philadelphia, PA · Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 23, 1986 · N512WW · Destroyed > A Aerospatiale helicopter an a-star under FAR 135 with pilot and 4 passengers onclimb out reaching an altitude of approx 100 to 150' AGL when pilot and passengers heard a loud bang acft lost power. Pilot attempted an auto rotation, due to low airspeed and… - [NTSB DEN85LA245](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA245.md): Piper PA-28-235 · Sugar City, CO · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 21, 1985 · N9186W · Destroyed > Plts were participating in mile-high air derby between denver, Colorado and taos, new Mexico. Acft was flying 50 ft AGL and at full throttle. When plt depressed microphone button to give position report, a muffled explosion was heard. Cabin immediately filled… - [NTSB FTW85IA221](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85IA221.md): Boeing B767-232 · D/Fw Airport, TX · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · May 11, 1985 · N108DL · Minor damage > The B767 was on the takeoff roll. The pressure regulator and shutoff valve coupled with the high presure shutoff valve malfunctioned resulting in pressures being developed in the downstream aircraft ducting in excess of 300 psig. A coupling in the air… - [NTSB DCA84IA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA84IA026.md): Boeing 747 · Los Angeles, CA · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · May 12, 1984 · FBPVS · Minor damage > During rotation the #2 eng sustained an explosive rupture of its compressor rear frame(crf). The crew observed a rapid drop in the #2 eng performance parameters & the illumination of the #2 eng thrust reversers 'unlock and in transit' lites. The crew… - [NTSB LAX83FUG04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FUG04.md): Cessna 402B · Upland, CA · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Oct 24, 1982 · N7856Q · Substantial damage > The pilot stated that after he landed and turned off the runway to taxi, he heard a loud report (explosion) from the right wing. He evacuated the aircraft and found the skin separated from the top and bottom leading edge of the right wing. Soot was found… - [NTSB FTW83LA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA020.md): Piper J-3 · Sweetwater, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 24, 1982 · N38449 · Substantial damage > When the confederate air force failed to show up for an airshow the pilot was asked to make some low passes over the airport and explosive charges were to be set off to simulate bomb bursts. During one low pass the charges were exploded too soon. The… - [NTSB FTW82FRG20](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82FRG20.md): Curtis C46 · Laredo, TX · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Jan 7, 1982 · N1698M · Substantial damage > While performing the exterior inspection the pilot noted that fuel was dripping from both wings inboard of the fuel tanks at the rear attach angle fairing plates. Just after starting the right engine an explosion occurred in the right wing. The crew shut down… ## The whole list in SQL Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS: ```sql SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1 WHERE c."mKey" IN (SELECT o.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o."occurrenceNumber" = 1 AND o."occurrenceCode" = 172) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC ``` This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?occurrence=172 --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.