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

September 28, 1990 · Continental Copters MK5A · N9024T

Cranesville, PA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 28, 1990
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Cranesville, PA
Aircraft
Continental Copters MK5A
Tail Number
N9024T
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC90DGM03

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD FINISHED A SPRAY SWATH AND INITIATED A 'CYLIC CLIMB' TO CLEAR TREES AT THE END OF THE FIELD. HE REPORTED HEARING A NOISE 'AS IF SOMETHING BROKE' JUST AFTER THE HELICOPTER CLEARED THE TREES. THE HELICOPTER YAWED RIGHT AND PITCHED DOWN. THE PILOT APPLIED LEFT RUDDER PEDAL AND FULL AFT CYCLIC IN AN ATTEMPT TO RECOVER, BUT THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED THE GROUND AT THE EDGE OF THE WOODED AREA. POST-IMPACT FIRE ENSUED. INVESTIGATORS FOUND NO INDICATION OF PRE-IMPACT POWER LOSS OR LOSS OF TAIL SECTION CONTINUITY. EXAMINATION OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS TO THE MAIN ROTOR SYSTEM REVEALED THAT A NUT AND BOLT WERE MISSING FROM ONE END OF THE FORE AND AFT CYCLIC CONTROL ROD.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S INABILITY TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER AFTER THE LOSS OF A PORTION OF THE CYCLIC CONTROL ASSEMBLY; THIS RESULTED IN GROUND IMPACT AND POST-IMPACT FIRE.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD FINISHED A SPRAY SWATH AND INITIATED A 'CYLIC CLIMB' TO CLEAR TREES AT THE END OF THE FIELD. HE REPORTED HEARING A NOISE 'AS IF SOMETHING BROKE' JUST AFTER THE HELICOPTER CLEARED THE TREES. THE HELICOPTER YAWED RIGHT AND PITCHED DOWN. THE PILOT APPLIED LEFT RUDDER PEDAL AND FULL AFT CYCLIC IN AN ATTEMPT TO RECOVER, BUT THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED THE GROUND AT THE EDGE OF THE WOODED AREA. POST-IMPACT FIRE ENSUED. INVESTIGATORS FOUND NO INDICATION OF PRE-IMPACT POWER LOSS OR LOSS OF TAIL SECTION CONTINUITY. EXAMINATION OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS TO THE MAIN ROTOR SYSTEM REVEALED THAT A NUT AND BOLT WERE MISSING FROM ONE END OF THE FORE AND AFT CYCLIC CONTROL ROD.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:00 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftContinental Copters MK5A
Tail NumberN9024T
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO-435-A1F · Reciprocating · 260
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 29 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 5 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data