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
March 1, 1990 · Bell BH-47G3B2 · N4073G
Des Moines, WA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 1, 1990
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Des Moines, WA
Aircraft
Bell BH-47G3B2
Tail Number
N4073G
Operator
Richard H Butz
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA90LA048
THE ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH DURING CRUISE FLIGHT AND RPM DECREASED FROM 3200 TO 2800. THE PILOT WAS NOT ABLE TO REACH SHORE WITH THE AVAILABLE POWER AND DITCHED THE AIRCRAFT IN A SALTWATER BAY. HE WAS RECOVERED FROM THE WATER BY A PRIVATE BOAT. THE AIRCRAFT SANK IN 300 FT. DEEP WATER AND WAS NOT RECOVERED.
NTSB Probable Cause
PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, CAUSE UNDETERMINED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS NOT RECOVERED AND EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE WAS NOT POSSIBLE.
Full Narrative
THE ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH DURING CRUISE FLIGHT AND RPM DECREASED FROM 3200 TO 2800. THE PILOT WAS NOT ABLE TO REACH SHORE WITH THE AVAILABLE POWER AND DITCHED THE AIRCRAFT IN A SALTWATER BAY. HE WAS RECOVERED FROM THE WATER BY A PRIVATE BOAT. THE AIRCRAFT SANK IN 300 FT. DEEP WATER AND WAS NOT RECOVERED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:50 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell BH-47G3B2
Tail NumberN4073G
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorRichard H Butz
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO-435 · Reciprocating · 280
Seats3
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 42 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 6 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 30 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time23:45
Weather SourceWFAC