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

January 31, 1991 · Aerospatiale SA-341G · N341WC

Miami, FL

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 31, 1991
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 serious injuries)
Location
Miami, FL
Aircraft
Aerospatiale SA-341G
Tail Number
N341WC
Operator
Pujol Jean
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA91FA076

REAR SEAT PASSENGER RPT HEARING SEVERAL LOUD BANGS IN RAPID SUCCESSION IN AREA OF ENGINE SHORTLY AFTER T/O WHILE THE ACFT WAS AT 200 FEET AND 90 KNOTS. VIBRATION FROM THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES WAS FELT SHORTLY AFTER THIS. THE PLT INITIATED A TURN BACK TO T/O AREA. IN THE TURN THE PLT NOTICED THE LOW ROTOR SPEED WARNING LIGHT WAS ON BUT THE LOW ROTOR WARNING HORN WAS NOT HEARD. THE ACFT WAS DESCENDING UNCONTROLLABLY. THE PLT DID NOT INITIATE AN AUTOROTATION NOR DID HE ACTIVATE THE FLOATS. THE ACFT IMPACTED THE WATER AT A HIGH RATE OF DESCENT AND CAME TO REST UPRIGHT. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE LOW ROTOR WARNING HORN WAS FOUND IN THE OFF POSITION. EXAMINATION OF THE HELICOPTER AND ENGINE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE WHICH COULD BE CONSIDERED CASUAL TO THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO INITIATE AN AUTOROTATION IN TIMELY MANNER FOLLOWING LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS RESULTING IN LOSS OF ROTOR RPM AND AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT AND IMPACT WITH THE TERRAIN.

Full Narrative

REAR SEAT PASSENGER RPT HEARING SEVERAL LOUD BANGS IN RAPID SUCCESSION IN AREA OF ENGINE SHORTLY AFTER T/O WHILE THE ACFT WAS AT 200 FEET AND 90 KNOTS. VIBRATION FROM THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES WAS FELT SHORTLY AFTER THIS. THE PLT INITIATED A TURN BACK TO T/O AREA. IN THE TURN THE PLT NOTICED THE LOW ROTOR SPEED WARNING LIGHT WAS ON BUT THE LOW ROTOR WARNING HORN WAS NOT HEARD. THE ACFT WAS DESCENDING UNCONTROLLABLY. THE PLT DID NOT INITIATE AN AUTOROTATION NOR DID HE ACTIVATE THE FLOATS. THE ACFT IMPACTED THE WATER AT A HIGH RATE OF DESCENT AND CAME TO REST UPRIGHT. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE LOW ROTOR WARNING HORN WAS FOUND IN THE OFF POSITION. EXAMINATION OF THE HELICOPTER AND ENGINE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE WHICH COULD BE CONSIDERED CASUAL TO THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:05 EST
Nearest AirportMiami Heliport (0nm N)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAerospatiale SA-341G
Tail NumberN341WC
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorPujol Jean
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsTurbomeca · ASTAZOU III A · Turboshaft · 590
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (3 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious3
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 37 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind240° @ 6 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time10:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data