NTSB Reports
Aviation Safety Intelligence
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.

Get the iPhone App
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

December 9, 1990 · Mcdonnell Douglas 369D · N1113L

Haleakla Nat Pk, HI

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 9, 1990
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Haleakla Nat Pk, HI
Aircraft
Mcdonnell Douglas 369D
Tail Number
N1113L
Operator
Paciffic Helicopter Tours
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX91LA054

THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO UPRIGHT AN ANIMAL CAGE BY PULLING IT OVER WITH A 'LONG LINE' ATTACHED TO THE HELICOPTER. THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115 POUNDS OF FUEL IN THE HELICOPTER'S FUEL TANK. THE POWER PLANT FAILED WHEN THE HELICOPTER'S NOSE RAISED DURING THE TOW. THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD COLLAPSING THE LEFT REAR LANDING GEAR STRUT AND THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES IMPACTED POSTS AROUND THE PERIMETERS OF THE CORRAL OVER WHICH THE HELICOPTER WAS HOVERING. DUPLICATING THE AIRCRAFT'S PITCH ATTITUDE AND FUEL LOAD, AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, REVEALED THAT THE FUEL PICK-UP POINT IS UN-PORTED AT FUEL QUANTITY LEVELS AT OR BELOW 115 POUNDS.

NTSB Probable Cause

FUEL STARVATION DUE TO THE UNPORTING OF THE FUEL SUPPLY PICK-UP.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO UPRIGHT AN ANIMAL CAGE BY PULLING IT OVER WITH A 'LONG LINE' ATTACHED TO THE HELICOPTER. THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115 POUNDS OF FUEL IN THE HELICOPTER'S FUEL TANK. THE POWER PLANT FAILED WHEN THE HELICOPTER'S NOSE RAISED DURING THE TOW. THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD COLLAPSING THE LEFT REAR LANDING GEAR STRUT AND THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES IMPACTED POSTS AROUND THE PERIMETERS OF THE CORRAL OVER WHICH THE HELICOPTER WAS HOVERING. DUPLICATING THE AIRCRAFT'S PITCH ATTITUDE AND FUEL LOAD, AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, REVEALED THAT THE FUEL PICK-UP POINT IS UN-PORTED AT FUEL QUANTITY LEVELS AT OR BELOW 115 POUNDS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 HST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMcdonnell Douglas 369D
Tail NumberN1113L
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPaciffic Helicopter Tours
Operating RulePart 133
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 375
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 41 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind70° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

External Links

Appendix: Source Data