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
May 7, 1988 · Bell 47G-3B1 · N8455E
Cortez, CO
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 7, 1988
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Location
Cortez, CO
Aircraft
Bell 47G-3B1
Tail Number
N8455E
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN88FA106
THE PLT SAID THAT HE HAD JUST TAKEN OFF AND REACHED AN ALT OF ABOUT 300 FT WHEN HIS COLLECTIVE CONTROL WENT 'LIMP'. THE HELICOPTER ENTERED A DESCENT, PARTIALLY CONTROLLED BY THE PLT USING THROTTLE AND CYCLIC CONTROL INPUTS. THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN IN SOFT MUD. THE HELICOPTER ROCKED FORWARD AND THEN AFT CAUSING THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES TO SEVER THE TAIL BOOM AND ALSO STRIKE THE GROUND. A POST ACCIDENT FIRE ERUPTED DESTROYING THE HELICOPTER. SEVERAL BROKEN PARTS WERE EXAMINED AT A LAB. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF FATIGUE OR CORROSION ON THE FRACTURED SURFACES.
Full Narrative
THE PLT SAID THAT HE HAD JUST TAKEN OFF AND REACHED AN ALT OF ABOUT 300 FT WHEN HIS COLLECTIVE CONTROL WENT 'LIMP'. THE HELICOPTER ENTERED A DESCENT, PARTIALLY CONTROLLED BY THE PLT USING THROTTLE AND CYCLIC CONTROL INPUTS. THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN IN SOFT MUD. THE HELICOPTER ROCKED FORWARD AND THEN AFT CAUSING THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES TO SEVER THE TAIL BOOM AND ALSO STRIKE THE GROUND. A POST ACCIDENT FIRE ERUPTED DESTROYING THE HELICOPTER. SEVERAL BROKEN PARTS WERE EXAMINED AT A LAB. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF FATIGUE OR CORROSION ON THE FRACTURED SURFACES.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:30 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 47G-3B1
Tail NumberN8455E
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TVO-435-A1A · Reciprocating · 260
Seats3
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Fatal1
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 56 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 5 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point43 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time17:30
Weather SourceWIT