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
August 22, 1990 · Bell 206B · N250CA
California City, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 22, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
California City, CA
Aircraft
Bell 206B
Tail Number
N250CA
Operator
Cinema Air
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX90LA298
BOTH AIRCRAFT WERE INVOLVED IN A MOVIE OPERATION WITH THE HELICOPTER (N250CA) CARRYING A CAMERMAN. THE DHC-6 (N203E) CARRIED PARACHUTISTS. THE PURPOSE OF THE OPERATION WAS TO PHOTOGRAPH THE PARACHUTISTS EXITING THE JUMP AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT OF N250CA SAID HE WAS IN FORMATON WITH N203E AND WAS MANEUVERING INTO CAMERA POSITION WHEN THE ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED THE VERTICAL STABLILIZER AND RUDDER OF N203E. THE PILOT OF N203E WAS NOT IN A POSITION TO HAVE VISUAL CONTACT WITH THE HELICOPTER.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE FAILURE OF THE HELICOPTER PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM THE JUMP AIRCRAT. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE INABILITY OF THE JUMP AIRCRAFT PILOT TO MAINTAIN VISUAL CONTACT WITH THE HELICOPTER.
Full Narrative
BOTH AIRCRAFT WERE INVOLVED IN A MOVIE OPERATION WITH THE HELICOPTER (N250CA) CARRYING A CAMERMAN. THE DHC-6 (N203E) CARRIED PARACHUTISTS. THE PURPOSE OF THE OPERATION WAS TO PHOTOGRAPH THE PARACHUTISTS EXITING THE JUMP AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT OF N250CA SAID HE WAS IN FORMATON WITH N203E AND WAS MANEUVERING INTO CAMERA POSITION WHEN THE ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED THE VERTICAL STABLILIZER AND RUDDER OF N203E. THE PILOT OF N203E WAS NOT IN A POSITION TO HAVE VISUAL CONTACT WITH THE HELICOPTER.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:20 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length6000 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 206B
Tail NumberN250CA
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCinema Air
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · E-20-73 · Turboshaft · 420 | Turboprop
Seats5
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 52 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightNr
WindGusting 1 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0