Overall Trends
Total, fatal, and serious accidents in the selected range.
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
Search everything
Fast key and full-text search with live filters, watches, and precise metadata.
Use quotes for exact phrase matches (for example "fuel selector valve").
Featured 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…
High-signal investigations
Major cases, deep-report coverage, and investigation media across decades of NTSB history.
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 manufacturersAirports
More airportsOperators
More operatorsAbout
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 16, 1992 · Bell 47-G4A · N1041B
Shelburne Falls, MA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 16, 1992
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Location
Shelburne Falls, MA
Aircraft
Bell 47-G4A
Tail Number
N1041B
Operator
Yves Gosselin
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC92FA117
THE HELICOPTER WAS FLYING LOW FOR THE PURPOSE OF ALLOWING THE TWO PASSENGERS TO OBSERVE THEIR COMPANY'S FIBER OPTIC CABLES. ONE OF THE PASSENGERS WAS TAKING A VIDEO OF THE CABLES DURING THE FLIGHT. THE VIDEO TAPE WAS RECOVERED FROM THE WRECKAGE AND SHOWS THE HELICOPTER IN CONTROLLED FLIGHT, AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 100 TO 150 FEET AGL. THE VIDEO TAPE SHOWS POWER LINES COMING INTO VIEW, RUNNING PERPENDICULAR TO THE FLIGHT PATH, THE SUBSEQUENT WIRE STRIKE AND THEN THE LOSS OF CONTROL PRIOR TO IMPACT INTO A RIVER THAT RAN PARALLEL TO THE FLIGHT PATH. WHEN THE WIRES CAME INTO VIEW ON THE VIDEO TAPE THE PILOT TOOK NO EVASIVE ACTION IN ORDER TO CHANGE ALTITUDE OR THE HELICOPTER'S FLIGHT PATH TO AVOID CONTACT WITH THE WIRES.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE OBSTACLE CLEARANCE. CONTRIBUTING WAS INADEQUATE ALTITUDE.
Full Narrative
THE HELICOPTER WAS FLYING LOW FOR THE PURPOSE OF ALLOWING THE TWO PASSENGERS TO OBSERVE THEIR COMPANY'S FIBER OPTIC CABLES. ONE OF THE PASSENGERS WAS TAKING A VIDEO OF THE CABLES DURING THE FLIGHT. THE VIDEO TAPE WAS RECOVERED FROM THE WRECKAGE AND SHOWS THE HELICOPTER IN CONTROLLED FLIGHT, AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 100 TO 150 FEET AGL. THE VIDEO TAPE SHOWS POWER LINES COMING INTO VIEW, RUNNING PERPENDICULAR TO THE FLIGHT PATH, THE SUBSEQUENT WIRE STRIKE AND THEN THE LOSS OF CONTROL PRIOR TO IMPACT INTO A RIVER THAT RAN PARALLEL TO THE FLIGHT PATH. WHEN THE WIRES CAME INTO VIEW ON THE VIDEO TAPE THE PILOT TOOK NO EVASIVE ACTION IN ORDER TO CHANGE ALTITUDE OR THE HELICOPTER'S FLIGHT PATH TO AVOID CONTACT WITH THE WIRES.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 47-G4A
Tail NumberN1041B
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorYves Gosselin
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO-540B1B3 · Reciprocating · 305
Seats3
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Fatal3
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 38 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT