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

May 7, 1988 · Hughes 269B · N9487F

Minneapolis, MN

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 7, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 2 uninjured
Location
Minneapolis, MN
Aircraft
Hughes 269B
Tail Number
N9487F
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI88LA108

THE PILOT WAS EXECUTING A DOWNWIND TAKEOFF, THE WINDS REPORTEDLY GUSTING TO 25 KNOTS, LOADED WITH TWO PASSENGERS, WHEN JUST AFTER TAKEOFF THE PILOT STATED THE HELICOPTER EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER. THE PILOT THEN ATTEMPTED TO EXECUTE AN AUTOROTATION, BUT DURING THE EMERGENCY DESCENT THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. AS A RESULT THE HELICOPTER STRUCK A MOVING VEHICLE WITH ITS TAIL ROTOR AND SUBSEQUENTLY COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. THE HELICOPTER WAS APPROXIMATELY 130 LBS UNDER GROSS WT AT THE TIME OF TAKEOFF. WHEN EXAMINED AND TESTED THE ENGINE OPERATED NORMALLY AND NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WERE FOUND. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE DID REVEAL THAT A FUEL NOZZLE HAD BEEN INSTALLED IN THE AIRCRAFT'S FUEL SYSTEM WITH A RESTRICTOR MISSING BUT TO COMPENSATE FOR THE MISSING RESTRICTOR THE FUEL SERVO IDLE MIXTURE WAS SET AT A VERY LEAN SETTING. THIS WAS DETERMINED NOT TO BE A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT WAS EXECUTING A DOWNWIND TAKEOFF, THE WINDS REPORTEDLY GUSTING TO 25 KNOTS, LOADED WITH TWO PASSENGERS, WHEN JUST AFTER TAKEOFF THE PILOT STATED THE HELICOPTER EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER. THE PILOT THEN ATTEMPTED TO EXECUTE AN AUTOROTATION, BUT DURING THE EMERGENCY DESCENT THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. AS A RESULT THE HELICOPTER STRUCK A MOVING VEHICLE WITH ITS TAIL ROTOR AND SUBSEQUENTLY COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. THE HELICOPTER WAS APPROXIMATELY 130 LBS UNDER GROSS WT AT THE TIME OF TAKEOFF. WHEN EXAMINED AND TESTED THE ENGINE OPERATED NORMALLY AND NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WERE FOUND. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE DID REVEAL THAT A FUEL NOZZLE HAD BEEN INSTALLED IN THE AIRCRAFT'S FUEL SYSTEM WITH A RESTRICTOR MISSING BUT TO COMPENSATE FOR THE MISSING RESTRICTOR THE FUEL SERVO IDLE MIXTURE WAS SET AT A VERY LEAN SETTING. THIS WAS DETERMINED NOT TO BE A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:25 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHughes 269B
Tail NumberN9487F
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360-A1A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 2 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured2
Total3
Crew 1Age 46 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 17 kt, gusting 25 kt
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point48
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time17:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data