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

August 20, 1990 · Aerospatiale SA316B · N83776

Meeteetse, WY

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 20, 1990
Injury Outcomes
7 injuries (3 serious injuries, 4 minor injuries)
Location
Meeteetse, WY
Aircraft
Aerospatiale SA316B
Tail Number
N83776
Operator
Rocky Mountain Helicopter
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN90FA172

APPROXIMATELY 2 MINUTES INTO THE FLIGHT, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A SLIGHT 1 TO 1 VIBRATION THROUGH THE CYCLIC. THIS TYPE VIBRATION IS ASSOCIATED WITH MAIN ROTOR DAMPERS AND THE PILOT 'STIRRED' THE CYCLIC IN AN EFFORT TO PURGE AIR OUT OF THE BLADE DAMPERS. THIS ELIMINATED THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER, IT RECURRED AND COULD NOT BE ELIMINATED. THE VIBRATION INCREASED TO THE POINT OF LOSS OF CONTROL. AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS ATTEMPTED WITH TOUCHDOWN OCCURRING AT ABOUT 60 KNOTS. THE HELICOPTER CAME TO REST INVERTED AND WAS LARGELY CONSUMED BY POST-IMPACT FIRE. METALLURGICAL ANALYSIS ON A FAILED BLADE RESTRAINING CABLE REVEALED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE IN A LOW CYCLE FATIGUE MODE CONSISTENT WITH A SECONDARY CAUSE, AND DUE TO SHORT TERM VIBRATIONS. IN ADDITION TO FATIGUE, THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF PLASTIC DEFORMATION DUE TO VIBRATORY LOADS FROM THE DAMPER SYSTEMS. FIRE DAMAGE PREVENTED ADDITIONAL FAILURE ANALYSIS.

NTSB Probable Cause

A MAIN ROTOR HEAD BLADE DAMPENER FAILURE. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE SUBSEQUENT FAILURE OF A BLADE RESTRAINING CABLE.

Full Narrative

APPROXIMATELY 2 MINUTES INTO THE FLIGHT, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A SLIGHT 1 TO 1 VIBRATION THROUGH THE CYCLIC. THIS TYPE VIBRATION IS ASSOCIATED WITH MAIN ROTOR DAMPERS AND THE PILOT 'STIRRED' THE CYCLIC IN AN EFFORT TO PURGE AIR OUT OF THE BLADE DAMPERS. THIS ELIMINATED THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER, IT RECURRED AND COULD NOT BE ELIMINATED. THE VIBRATION INCREASED TO THE POINT OF LOSS OF CONTROL. AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS ATTEMPTED WITH TOUCHDOWN OCCURRING AT ABOUT 60 KNOTS. THE HELICOPTER CAME TO REST INVERTED AND WAS LARGELY CONSUMED BY POST-IMPACT FIRE. METALLURGICAL ANALYSIS ON A FAILED BLADE RESTRAINING CABLE REVEALED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE IN A LOW CYCLE FATIGUE MODE CONSISTENT WITH A SECONDARY CAUSE, AND DUE TO SHORT TERM VIBRATIONS. IN ADDITION TO FATIGUE, THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF PLASTIC DEFORMATION DUE TO VIBRATORY LOADS FROM THE DAMPER SYSTEMS. FIRE DAMAGE PREVENTED ADDITIONAL FAILURE ANALYSIS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:00 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftAerospatiale SA316B
Tail NumberN83776
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorRocky Mountain Helicopter
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsTurbomeca · 316B · Turboshaft · 600
Seats7

People & Injuries

Injury Summary7 injuries (3 serious injuries, 4 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious3
Minor4
Uninjured0
Total7
Crew 1Age 42 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 10 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingOvercast 6000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data