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
June 23, 1988 · Sikorsky S-76A · N54C
Moundsville, WV
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 23, 1988
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 4 uninjured
Location
Moundsville, WV
Aircraft
Sikorsky S-76A
Tail Number
N54C
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
BFO88LA058
THE HELICOPTER CONTACTED POWER LINES SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF FROM A MINE SITE. THE NOSE GEAR OF THE HELICOPTER CONTACTED AN UNINSULATED STATIC WIRE. THIS WIRE WAS STRUNG WITH ONE OTHER STATIC WIRE AND TWO BLACK INSULATED POWER LINES. BOTH CREW MEMBERS STATED THAT THEY SAW THE BLACK LINES AND BELIEVED THEIR RATE OF CLIMB WOULD ALLOW ADEQUATE CLEARANCE. AFTERHITTING THE FIRST SET OF LINES, THE HELICOPTER BEGAN A DESCENDING TURN AND THEN CONTACTED A SECOND SET OF POWER LINES ALONG WITH A POWER POLE. THE HELICOPTER THEN COLLIDED WITH A SWITCHING HOUSE AND CAME TO REST ALONGSIDE A EARTHEN SUPPLYSLOPE. NONE OF THE WIRES WERE MARKED. THE CAPTAIN STATED THAT HE DID NOT SEE THE SILVER COLORED STATIC WIRES.
Full Narrative
THE HELICOPTER CONTACTED POWER LINES SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF FROM A MINE SITE. THE NOSE GEAR OF THE HELICOPTER CONTACTED AN UNINSULATED STATIC WIRE. THIS WIRE WAS STRUNG WITH ONE OTHER STATIC WIRE AND TWO BLACK INSULATED POWER LINES. BOTH CREW MEMBERS STATED THAT THEY SAW THE BLACK LINES AND BELIEVED THEIR RATE OF CLIMB WOULD ALLOW ADEQUATE CLEARANCE. AFTERHITTING THE FIRST SET OF LINES, THE HELICOPTER BEGAN A DESCENDING TURN AND THEN CONTACTED A SECOND SET OF POWER LINES ALONG WITH A POWER POLE. THE HELICOPTER THEN COLLIDED WITH A SWITCHING HOUSE AND CAME TO REST ALONGSIDE A EARTHEN SUPPLYSLOPE. NONE OF THE WIRES WERE MARKED. THE CAPTAIN STATED THAT HE DID NOT SEE THE SILVER COLORED STATIC WIRES.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:42 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftSikorsky S-76A
Tail NumberN54C
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C30 · Turboshaft · 650
Seats10
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 4 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured4
Total6
Crew 1Age 51 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind30° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:45
Weather SourceWFAC