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

July 26, 1993 · Bell B206BII · N502AH

Lake Powell, UT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 26, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Lake Powell, UT
Aircraft
Bell B206BII
Tail Number
N502AH
Operator
Arizona Helicopter Adventures
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA93LA161

THE PILOT OF THE HELICOPTER WAS MAKING A LOW-LEVEL PASS OVER A JET SKI FOR THE PURPOSE OF COMMERCIAL FILMING WHEN HE INITIATED A RIGHT-HAND CLIMBING TURN. DURING THE TURN, THE AIRCRAFT LOST POWER, AND THE PILOT FOUND IT NECESSARY TO EXECUTE AN AUTOROTATION INTO THE LAKE ON WHICH THE JET SKI WAS MANEUVERING. AN INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT'S ENGINE AND FUEL CONTROL SYSTEM DID NOT DISCLOSE ANY PRE-IMPACT FAILURES OR ANOMALIES.

NTSB Probable Cause

A POWER LOSS FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. FACTORS INCLUDE LANDING IN WATER.

Full Narrative

On July 26, 1993, at approximately 0630 Pacific daylight time (PDT), a Bell 206B helicopter, N502AH, ditched in Lake Powell after experiencing a power loss while maneuvering at low level over the water. The FAA certificated airline transport pilot and his two passengers were not injured, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The professional photographic flight, which departed Page Municipal Airport about 30 minutes earlier, was operating in visual meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. The aircraft was not on a filed flight plan, and there was no report of an ELT activation. The pilot, who was participating in the filming of a jet ski commercial, was maneuvering at low level in order to position the aircraft for proper filming. He passed by the left side of the jet ski at about 100 feet above the water, and then initiated a right hand climbing turn while at about 45 to 50 mph. The pilot said that as he started the turn, he checked his instruments, and everything was operating in the green with no warning lights illuminated. About three-quarters of the way around the turn, the pilot noticed that he did not feel any "power response" from the collective as he increased pitch in order to maintain his altitude. As the aircraft completed its 360 degree turn, it began descending toward the water, and the pilot realized that he had experienced a complete loss of power. He then maneuvered the aircraft into the wind, initiated an autorotation, and landed in the water in a level attitude. As the aircraft settled, the main rotor blades impacted the water, the nose pitched forward, and the aircraft sank in about 75 feet of water. A post-accident examination of the aircraft's engine and fuel control systems did not disclose any pre-impact malfunctions or anomalies that would have contributed to a power failure.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:30 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell B206BII
Tail NumberN502AH
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorArizona Helicopter Adventures
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 420
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 46 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 2 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data