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

November 6, 1993 · Aerospatiale SA-341G · N76WH

Lake Berryessa, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 6, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Lake Berryessa, CA
Aircraft
Aerospatiale SA-341G
Tail Number
N76WH
Operator
Everything Flyable
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX94LA038

The private pilot and three passengers were on a scenic flight over a state recreation area. Witnesses reported seeing the helicopter flying low, then disappear into a cloud of dust. The helicopter had collided with two 115,000-volt power lines. The pilot maintained control of the helicopter, but landed hard with wire strike damage to the hydraulic system and canopy. The pilot stated that he simply did not see the wires prior to the strike. The pilot stated that the wires were not marked. The wires are depicted on the San Francisco Sectional Aeronautical Chart.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's selection of an inadequate obstacle clearance cruise altitude.

Full Narrative

On November 6, 1993, at 1122 hours Pacific standard time, an Aerospatiale SA-341G helicopter, N76WH, was substantially damaged during a wire strike and a forced landing near Lake Berryessa, California. Neither the pilot nor his three passengers were injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter had departed Calistoga, California, at about 1030 on the morning of the accident. Pacific Gas and Electric reported that the helicopter had struck two 115,000-volt power lines at the Lake Berryessa Recreation Area near the Pleasure Cove Resort. The power outage was recorded at 1122 hours. Witnesses reported seeing the helicopter flying low, then disappear into a cloud of dust. In a verbal statement the pilot said that he simply did not see the power lines prior to the collision. The pilot stated that the wires were not marked. The San Francisco Sectional Aeronautical Chart depicts the wires on the chart.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:22 PST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAerospatiale SA-341G
Tail NumberN76WH
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorEverything Flyable
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsTurbomeca · 3A · Turboshaft · 550
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 28 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data