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
November 12, 1988 · Hughes 269A · N37632
Daytona Beach, FL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Incident
Date
November 12, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Daytona Beach, FL
Aircraft
Hughes 269A
Tail Number
N37632
Injuries
None
NTSB Number
MIA89IA030
DURING NORMAL CRUISE FLT, THE MAIN ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM FAILED FOR UNDETERMINED REASON(S). GRASS WAS IGNITED BY EXHAUST GASSES AFTER TOUCHDOWN, RESULTING IN FIRE, DESTROYING THE HELICOPTER. EXAMINATION OF ENG COMPARTMENT REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE TRANSMISSION DRIVE ASSY. THE PLT STATED HE BELIEVES THE LOSS OF MAIN ROTOR DRIVE MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO BELT OR IDLER PULLEY CABLE STRETCH. THE TOTAL NO. OF TRANSMISSION DRIVE BELTS OPERATING WHEN THE LOSS OF MAIN ROTOR DRIVE OCCURRED COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. ACCORDING TO THE PLT A 2 BELTS WILL DRIVE THE TRANSMISSION. HE ALSO STATED THAT ACCORDING TO THE PLT THE FAILURE MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO THE STRETCHING OF THE IDLER PULLEY CABLE OR THE TRANSMISSION DRIVE BELTS. THE TENSION OF THE IDLER PULLEY CABLE WAS CHECKED APRX 12 HRS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT AND SCHEDULED TO BE RECHECKED AFTER 13 HRS OF OPERATION.
Full Narrative
DURING NORMAL CRUISE FLT, THE MAIN ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM FAILED FOR UNDETERMINED REASON(S). GRASS WAS IGNITED BY EXHAUST GASSES AFTER TOUCHDOWN, RESULTING IN FIRE, DESTROYING THE HELICOPTER. EXAMINATION OF ENG COMPARTMENT REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE TRANSMISSION DRIVE ASSY. THE PLT STATED HE BELIEVES THE LOSS OF MAIN ROTOR DRIVE MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO BELT OR IDLER PULLEY CABLE STRETCH. THE TOTAL NO. OF TRANSMISSION DRIVE BELTS OPERATING WHEN THE LOSS OF MAIN ROTOR DRIVE OCCURRED COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. ACCORDING TO THE PLT A 2 BELTS WILL DRIVE THE TRANSMISSION. HE ALSO STATED THAT ACCORDING TO THE PLT THE FAILURE MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO THE STRETCHING OF THE IDLER PULLEY CABLE OR THE TRANSMISSION DRIVE BELTS. THE TENSION OF THE IDLER PULLEY CABLE WAS CHECKED APRX 12 HRS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT AND SCHEDULED TO BE RECHECKED AFTER 13 HRS OF OPERATION.
Flight
Event TypeIncident
Event Time16:00 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHughes 269A
Tail NumberN37632
Aircraft CategoryHeli
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360-B1A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 34 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind40° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 30000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time19:50
Weather SourceWFAC