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

January 16, 1994 · Robinson R22B · N193HC

Gurabo, PR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 16, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Gurabo, PR
Aircraft
Robinson R22B
Tail Number
N193HC
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA94LA054

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING CRUISE FLIGHT DURING A DARK NIGHT OVER UNSUITABLE TERRAIN AT 1,800 FEET MSL, THE CLUTCH LIGHT FLICKERED MOMENTARILY THEN REMAINED ILLUMINATED. HE WAITED FOR 5 SECONDS THEN PULLED THE CLUTCH CIRCUIT BREAKER AND INITIATED AN EMERGENCY DESCENT FOR A FORCED LANDING. WHEN THE FLIGHT WAS ABOUT 50 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL (AGL) THE PILOT INITIATED THE CYCLIC FLARE. THEN WHEN THE FLIGHT WAS ABOUT 10 FEET AGL, HE PULLED COLLECTIVE CONTROL BUT THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD. EXAMINATION OF THE HELICOPTER REVEALED THAT ONE OF THE TWO VEE- BELTS HAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED AND 1/2 OF THE REMAINING BELT HAD ALSO COMPLETELY SEPARATED. REVIEW OF THE MAINTENANCE RECORDS REVEALED THAT THE TENSION OF THE BELTS WAS CHECKED ABOUT 42 HOURS BEFORE. THE VEE-BELTS WERE INSTALLED WHEN THE HELICOPTER WAS MANUFACTURED ABOUT 442 HOURS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.

NTSB Probable Cause

COMPLETE SEPARATION OF ONE OF THE TWO VEE-BELTS, AND COMPLETE SEPARATION OF 1/2 OF THE REMAINING BELT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE DARK NIGHT CONDITION AND UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ENCOUNTERED DURING THE AUTOROTATIVE LANDING.

Full Narrative

On January 15, 1994, about 2220 Atlantic standard time, a Robinson R22 Beta, N193HC, registered to Initiative Trade Corporation, was substantially damaged during an autorotative landing near Gurabo, Puerto Rico, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 aerial advertising flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The commercial-rated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated about 2115, from the Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport, San Juan, Puerto Rico. The pilot stated that during cruise flight during the dark night at 1,800 feet mean sea level, he smelled something burning and the clutch warning light flickered momentarily, then remained illuminated. He waited for 5 seconds then pulled the clutch circuit breaker and initiated an emergency descent for an autorotative landing. When the flight was about 50 feet above ground level he initiated a cyclic flare and about 10 feet above ground level, pulled collective pitch control for landing. The helicopter landed hard on unsuitable terrain. Examination of the helicopter revealed that one of the two vee-belts completely separated and 1/2 of the remaining belt had completely separated. Only 1/2 of one belt remained. According to the maintenance records, the vee-belt tension was checked about 42 hours earlier. The vee-belts had accumulated about 442 hours since new.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time22:20 AST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobinson R22B
Tail NumberN193HC
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-B2C · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 23 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind180° @ 3 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingOvercast 25000 ft
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time01:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data