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
January 11, 1991 · Robinson R-22B · N40231
Torrance, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 11, 1991
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Torrance, CA
Aircraft
Robinson R-22B
Tail Number
N40231
Operator
Rolling Hills Aviation
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX91LA072
THE PILOT WAS PRACTICING HOVERING AND TURNING AROUND A POINT MANEUVERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH HIS SOLO FLIGHT ENDORSEMENT. WHILE HOVERING SEVERAL FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL THE NOSE OF THE HELICOPTER PITCHED UP AND THE TAIL ROTOR CONTACTED THE GROUND AND BROKE. THEREAFTER, THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER AND IT ROLLED OVER. THE CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT HAD LOGGED 2194 HOURS OF FLIGHT TIME IN FIXED WING AIRPLANES. HE HAD 26.2 HOURS OF FLIGHT TIME IN HELICOPTERS. THE PILOT'S TOTAL SOLO PIC FLIGHT TIME IN THE ACCIDENT HELICOPTER, WHICH HE WAS LEARNING TO FLY, WAS 3.2 HOURS.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE ROTORCRAFT'S FLIGHT CONTROLS. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE RELATED TO THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE TYPE OF LOW ALTITUDE MANEUVER.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT WAS PRACTICING HOVERING AND TURNING AROUND A POINT MANEUVERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH HIS SOLO FLIGHT ENDORSEMENT. WHILE HOVERING SEVERAL FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL THE NOSE OF THE HELICOPTER PITCHED UP AND THE TAIL ROTOR CONTACTED THE GROUND AND BROKE. THEREAFTER, THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER AND IT ROLLED OVER. THE CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT HAD LOGGED 2194 HOURS OF FLIGHT TIME IN FIXED WING AIRPLANES. HE HAD 26.2 HOURS OF FLIGHT TIME IN HELICOPTERS. THE PILOT'S TOTAL SOLO PIC FLIGHT TIME IN THE ACCIDENT HELICOPTER, WHICH HE WAS LEARNING TO FLY, WAS 3.2 HOURS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:53 PST
Nearest AirportTORRANCE (0nm N)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftRobinson R-22B
Tail NumberN40231
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRolling Hills Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-B2C · Reciprocating · 145
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 58 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 3 kt
Visibility3 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time17:53
Weather SourceWFAC