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
September 17, 1988 · Bell 206L · N278KA
Lihue, HI
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 17, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (7 uninjured)
Location
Lihue, HI
Aircraft
Bell 206L
Tail Number
N278KA
Operator
Kenai Air of Hawaii
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX88LA325
DURING A LOCAL SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH FOR LANDING, THE AUDIO AND LIGHT FOR LOW RPM SOUNDED AND ILLUMINATED. THE HELICOPTER WAS AUTOROTATED. IT INITIALLY BOUNCED WHEN IT TOUCHED DOWN, THEN LANDED HARD. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE ENGINE WAS REMOVED AND PLACED ON A TEST CELL. ALL ENGINE PARAMETERS EXCLUDING THE SEAL VENT PRESSURE, WERE FOUND TO BE WITHIN LIMITS AS RECOMMENDED BY THE MANUFACTURER. AFTER CHANGING THE VENT ORIFICE FROM A NO. 2 TO A NO. 4 THE DISCREPANCY WAS CORRECTED.
Full Narrative
DURING A LOCAL SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH FOR LANDING, THE AUDIO AND LIGHT FOR LOW RPM SOUNDED AND ILLUMINATED. THE HELICOPTER WAS AUTOROTATED. IT INITIALLY BOUNCED WHEN IT TOUCHED DOWN, THEN LANDED HARD. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE ENGINE WAS REMOVED AND PLACED ON A TEST CELL. ALL ENGINE PARAMETERS EXCLUDING THE SEAL VENT PRESSURE, WERE FOUND TO BE WITHIN LIMITS AS RECOMMENDED BY THE MANUFACTURER. AFTER CHANGING THE VENT ORIFICE FROM A NO. 2 TO A NO. 4 THE DISCREPANCY WAS CORRECTED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:10 HST
Nearest AirportLIHUE (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 206L
Tail NumberN278KA
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorKenai Air of Hawaii
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 420
Seats7
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (7 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured7
Total7
Crew 1Age 45 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind130° @ 6 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO