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

April 13, 1988 · Hughes 269C · N42JW

Lawrenceville, GA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 13, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Lawrenceville, GA
Aircraft
Hughes 269C
Tail Number
N42JW
Operator
Mid State/Executive Helcopter
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL88LA215

THE INSTRUCTOR REPORTED THAT HE INITIATED A SIM ENGINE FAILURE DURING CLIMB AT ABOUT 100 FT AGL, AS PART OF THE RECURRENCY FLIGHT. THE PILOT INITIATED AN AUTOROTATION, AT ABOUT 50 FT AGL, THE RATE OF DESCENT INCREASED AND THE THROTTLE WAS ROLLED IN TO ARREST THE DESCENT. ACCORDING TO THE CHECK PLT, THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESPOND, AND A FLARE WAS INITIATED IN AN ATTEMPT TO SLOW THE HELO. THE HELO SUBSEQUENTLY IMPACTED THE TERRAIN IN A TAIL-LOW ATTITUDE AND ROLLED OVER. THE PVT PLT NOTED THAT HE & THE INSTRUCTOR HAD PERFORMED 3 PRIOR SIM ENGINE FAILURES SHORTLY BEFORE, AND HAD EXECUTED A POWERED RECOVERY TO A HOVER AFTER EACH MANEUVER. EXAM OF THE HELO REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-EXISTING MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. THE FUEL-INJECTED ENGINE STARTED AND RAN NORMAL AFTER 3-4 START ATTEMPTS, AND RESPONDED TO THROTTLE INPUTS IN A NORMAL MANNER.

Full Narrative

THE INSTRUCTOR REPORTED THAT HE INITIATED A SIM ENGINE FAILURE DURING CLIMB AT ABOUT 100 FT AGL, AS PART OF THE RECURRENCY FLIGHT. THE PILOT INITIATED AN AUTOROTATION, AT ABOUT 50 FT AGL, THE RATE OF DESCENT INCREASED AND THE THROTTLE WAS ROLLED IN TO ARREST THE DESCENT. ACCORDING TO THE CHECK PLT, THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESPOND, AND A FLARE WAS INITIATED IN AN ATTEMPT TO SLOW THE HELO. THE HELO SUBSEQUENTLY IMPACTED THE TERRAIN IN A TAIL-LOW ATTITUDE AND ROLLED OVER. THE PVT PLT NOTED THAT HE & THE INSTRUCTOR HAD PERFORMED 3 PRIOR SIM ENGINE FAILURES SHORTLY BEFORE, AND HAD EXECUTED A POWERED RECOVERY TO A HOVER AFTER EACH MANEUVER. EXAM OF THE HELO REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-EXISTING MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. THE FUEL-INJECTED ENGINE STARTED AND RAN NORMAL AFTER 3-4 START ATTEMPTS, AND RESPONDED TO THROTTLE INPUTS IN A NORMAL MANNER.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:15 EDT
Nearest AirportGwinnett County (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHughes 269C
Tail NumberN42JW
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMid State/Executive Helcopter
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360-D1A · Reciprocating · 190
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 34 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 10 kt
Visibility8 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data