Overall Trends
Total, fatal, and serious accidents in the selected range.
Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.
Fast key and full-text search with live filters, watches, and precise metadata.
Use quotes for exact phrase matches (for example "fuel selector valve").
Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.
Major cases, deep-report coverage, and investigation media across decades of NTSB history.
Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.
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.
Brawley, CA
The helicopter was engaged in agricultural aerial application. During a swath run over a field it descended and hit the ground. The post crash inspection revealed contaminants in the fuel system. Lack of engine rotational signatures were also noted. The source of the fuel contamination was not identified.
The fuel system contamination that resulted in a loss of engine power during aerial application and a subsequent collision with the ground.
On January 18, 2000, about 1630 hours Pacific standard time, a Bell OH-58C, N436SD, collided with flat agricultural terrain while spraying a field in Brawley, California. The aircraft sustained substantial damage and the certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. The aircraft was being operated by Ag Flite, Inc., as an aerial application flight under 14 CFR Part 137 when the accident occurred. The flight originated from a mobile helipad located at the work site about 1628 on the afternoon of the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that he was making a turn about 10 feet above ground level when the aircraft struck the ground. He said that he did not recall experiencing any problems prior to the crash. No other witnesses have been identified. An inspection of the wreckage revealed contamination in the fuel system. A fibrous material was found through the system including the high pressure fuel filter. The Federal Aviation Administration report stated that there was a lack of rotational signatures in the engine. The operator did not provide a written report of the accident on NTSB Form 6120.1/2.