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
April 28, 1990 · Sikorsky S-58F · N871
Southfield, MI
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 28, 1990
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Southfield, MI
Aircraft
Sikorsky S-58F
Tail Number
N871
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI90FA118
THE HELICOPTER WAS HOVERING IN PLACE DURING A ROOFTOP EQUIPMENT REMOVAL OPERATION WHEN IT ABRUPTLY DESCENDED ONTO THE STRUCTURE FROM WHICH THE LIFT WAS BEING MADE. IT THEN NOSED OVER THE STRUCTURE & IMPACTED APRX 10 FT BELOW ON THE ROOF OF THE 15TH FLOOR. THE WORKERS HEARD NO VERBAL WARNING FROM THE PILOT. ACOUSTICAL ANALYSIS OF A VIDEO REVEALED THAT DURING THE DESCENT THERE WAS A STEADY INCREASE IN ENGINE, M/R, AND T/R RPM. POST MORTEM EXAM OF THE PILOT REVEALED FOCAL ATHEROSCLEROSIS 50% LEFT AND RIGHT CORONARY ARTERY, LEFT ANTERIOR DESCENDING, AND LEFT CIRCUMFLEX. THE PILOT & CREW HAD OPERATED TOGETHER AS A TEAM FOR 18 YRS & THE CREW STATED THAT THE PILOT, WITH NO EXCEPTIONS, HAD ALWAYS NOTIFIED THEM BY RADIO WHEN UNEXPECTED OCCURRENCES CAUSED PREMATURE RELEASES.
NTSB Probable Cause
A LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO PHYSICAL INCAPACITATION FOR UNKNOWN REASON(S).
Full Narrative
THE HELICOPTER WAS HOVERING IN PLACE DURING A ROOFTOP EQUIPMENT REMOVAL OPERATION WHEN IT ABRUPTLY DESCENDED ONTO THE STRUCTURE FROM WHICH THE LIFT WAS BEING MADE. IT THEN NOSED OVER THE STRUCTURE & IMPACTED APRX 10 FT BELOW ON THE ROOF OF THE 15TH FLOOR. THE WORKERS HEARD NO VERBAL WARNING FROM THE PILOT. ACOUSTICAL ANALYSIS OF A VIDEO REVEALED THAT DURING THE DESCENT THERE WAS A STEADY INCREASE IN ENGINE, M/R, AND T/R RPM. POST MORTEM EXAM OF THE PILOT REVEALED FOCAL ATHEROSCLEROSIS 50% LEFT AND RIGHT CORONARY ARTERY, LEFT ANTERIOR DESCENDING, AND LEFT CIRCUMFLEX. THE PILOT & CREW HAD OPERATED TOGETHER AS A TEAM FOR 18 YRS & THE CREW STATED THAT THE PILOT, WITH NO EXCEPTIONS, HAD ALWAYS NOTIFIED THEM BY RADIO WHEN UNEXPECTED OCCURRENCES CAUSED PREMATURE RELEASES.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:00 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftSikorsky S-58F
Tail NumberN871
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 133
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCurtis Wright · 989 C9HE1 · Reciprocating · 1525
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 49 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 52
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time11:50
Weather SourceWFAC