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

May 21, 1997 · Enstrom 280-C · N613LG

Clarksburg, NJ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 21, 1997
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Clarksburg, NJ
Aircraft
Enstrom 280-C
Tail Number
N613LG
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
NYC97LA097

The main rotor blades struck a building after the helicopter lifted off from a dolly. The pilot reported that he backed the helicopter out of an aircraft hangar aboard an electrically powered dolly. He said the dolly batteries were not charged and that he used a battery charger and an extension cord to move the helicopter outside. The pilot explained that he intended to start the helicopter, warm it up, and check aircraft systems while the batteries charged on the dolly. Once the batteries were charged, he would move the helicopter a further distance from the hangar for takeoff. The pilot had no recollection of the accident other than sitting in the helicopter with the engine and rotors operating. Examination of the accident site revealed the helicopter was facing the hangar, oriented 155 degrees magnetic, with the tail into '...a very strong wind.' The main rotor blades struck approximately 6 inches above the door opening and penetrated the building a distance of 2 feet, 7 inches.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the hangar.

Full Narrative

On May 21, 1997, at 1147 eastern daylight time, an Enstrom 280-C helicopter, N613LG, was destroyed when the main rotor blades collided with a building after lifting from a dolly at the Perl Acres Airport, Clarksburg, New Jersey. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a telephone interview, the pilot reported that he backed the helicopter out of an aircraft hangar aboard an electrically powered dolly. He said the dolly batteries were not charged and that he used a battery charger and an extension cord to move the helicopter outside. The pilot explained that he intended to start the helicopter, warm it up, and check aircraft systems while the batteries charged on the dolly. Once the batteries were charged, he would move the helicopter a further distance from the hangar for takeoff. The pilot stated that he remembered sitting in the helicopter with the engine running and the rotors turning. He said he next remembered riding in an ambulance. He stated that he did not recall the accident. When asked to estimate the distance from the turning rotor blades to the hanger, the pilot said he had "...no idea." The pilot stated that he wanted to "...check out the dolly..." and that he was unclear if he intended to fly. He said that he remembered calling flight service. When questioned about the forecast winds he responded: "...8 to ten knots, I don't recall exactly." In a telephone interview, a Federal Aviation Administration Aviation Safety Inspector who responded to the scene stated that the helicopter came to rest in an upright position on the dolly. The helicopter dolly was powered by the extension cord because the batteries were not charged. He said that with the extension cord fully extended, the helicopter blades were only inches from the hanger with the rotors turning. The Inspector stated the helicopter was facing the hangar, oriented 155 degrees magnetic, with the tail into "...a very strong wind." He said an examination of the helicopter and the corrugated metal hanger revealed that the main rotor blades struck approximately 6 inches above the door opening and penetrated the building a distance of 2 feet, 7 inches. At Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 25 miles west of Clarksburg, the winds were reported to be from 310 degrees at 14 knots, gusting to 22 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:47 EDT
Nearest AirportPerl Acres (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftEnstrom 280-C
Tail NumberN613LG
Aircraft CategoryHeli
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-EIAD · Reciprocating · 205
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 40 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 14 kt, gusting 22 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 36 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time15:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data