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

June 4, 1995 · Hiller UH-12E · N4254X

Checotah, OK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 4, 1995
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Checotah, OK
Aircraft
Hiller UH-12E
Tail Number
N4254X
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW95LA230

WHILE DISPENSING A HERBICIDE, 'THE ENGINE LOST POWER, RPM, AND A VIBRATION WAS FELT. THE ENGINE RECOVERED TO FULL POWER CAUSING THE HELICOPTER TO YAW.' THIS EVENT OCCURRED THREE ADDITIONAL TIMES FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS DURING AN ATTEMPTED RUN-ON LANDING TO A FIELD. AS THE HELICOPTER'S SKIDS CONTACTED THE GROUND, THE PILOT HEARD A 'BOOM', THE HELICOPTER YAWED, THE SKIDS SEPARATED FROM THE FUSELAGE, AND THE HELICOPTER CAME TO REST ON ITS SIDE.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT ALLOWING THE HELICOPTER TO TOUCHDOWN IMPROPERLY. A FACTOR WAS THE ERRATIC RUNNING ENGINE.

Full Narrative

On June 4, 1995, at 1800 central daylight time, a Hiller UH-12E helicopter, N4254X, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Checotah, Oklahoma. The airline transport rated pilot received minor injuries. The helicopter was being operated by Main Street Aviation under Title 14 CFR Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. On the enclosed Pilot/Operator Report, the pilot reported the following information. While dispensing a herbicide, "the engine lost power, RPM, and a vibration was felt. The engine recovered to full power causing the helicopter to yaw." This event occurred three additional times during an attempted run-on landing to a field. As the helicopter's skids contacted the ground, the pilot heard a "boom", the helicopter yawed, and the skids separated from the fuselage. During the ensuing landing, the helicopter came to rest on it's side. The pilot reported to the investigator-in-charge, that an examination of the helicopter revealed the following additional damage. The tail rotor gear box was separated from the tailboom, and the first section of the tail rotor drive shaft was separated from the drive shaft and main transmission. He further reported that the reason for the erratic running engine had not been determined.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHiller UH-12E
Tail NumberN4254X
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO-540-B1A · Reciprocating · 305
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 45 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 4 kt, gusting 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data