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 26, 1993 · Hughes 269C · N58407

Van Nuys, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 26, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Van Nuys, CA
Aircraft
Hughes 269C
Tail Number
N58407
Operator
Orbic Helicopters
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX93LA227

THE STUDENT HELICOPTER PILOT WAS CONDUCTING A LOCAL AREA SOLO FLIGHT. AFTER PRACTICING SEVERAL TAKEOFFS AND APPROACHES THE STUDENT PILOT RETURNED TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT AND EXECUTED AN APPROACH TO A HOVER AT THE OPERATOR'S FACILITY. THE STUDENT PILOT THEN AERIAL TAXIED TO THE DESIGNATED PARKING AREA. WHILE MANEUVERING REARWARD TO LAND IN THE SPOT, THE HEEL OF THE SKIDS STRUCK THE GROUND AND THE HELICOPTER TIPPED BACKWARD STRIKING THE TAIL ROTOR BLADES ON THE GROUND.

NTSB Probable Cause

the student pilot's failure to maintain the altitude while maneuvering toward the parking area. The student pilot's lack of total experience was a factor in this accident.

Full Narrative

On May 26, 1993, at about 1330 hours Pacific daylight time, a Hughes 269C helicopter, N58407, struck the tail rotor while aerial taxiing to a parking area at Van Nuys Airport (VNY), Van Nuys, California. The noncertificated student pilot was completing a local visual flight rules solo flight. The helicopter, operated by Orbic Helicopters, Inc., VNY, sustained substantial damage. The student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight departed VNY at about 1250 hours. The operator reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, that the student pilot had been practicing takeoffs and approaches at the practice area. The student pilot returned to VNY and executed an approach to a hover and then aerial taxied to the designated parking area. While maneuvering rearward toward the parking spot the heel of the skids struck the ground and the helicopter tipped backward striking the tail rotor blades on the ground.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:30 PDT
Nearest AirportVANNUYS (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHughes 269C
Tail NumberN58407
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorOrbic Helicopters
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360-D1A · Reciprocating · 190
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 45 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 10 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data