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
December 21, 1988 · Bell 206L-1 · N1072S
Oakland, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 21, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Oakland, CA
Aircraft
Bell 206L-1
Tail Number
N1072S
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX89LA073
THE PILOT DESCENDED INTO THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA WHILE ON A NIGHT VISUAL FLIGHT FROM OAKLAND TO SAN FRANCISCO. THE WEATHER WAS INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS WITH VISIBILITY BETWEEN ONE TO FOUR MILES WITH MODERATE RAIN SHOWERS AND FOG. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO RADIO SAN FRANCISCO TOWER BUT WAS ADVISED HE WAS STILL BROADCASTING ON THE OAKLAND TOWER FREQUENCY. THE PILOT ACKNOWLEDGED THE ADVICE AND WAS NOT HEARD FROM AGAIN. THE AIRCRAFT WAS RECOVERED FROM THE BAY AFTER EXPOSURE TO SALT WATER. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT WRECKAGE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE PLT WAS NOT FOUND. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PILOT HAD LITTLE RECENT INSTRUMENT EXPERIENCE.
NTSB Probable Cause
PILOTS INTENTIONAL FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITITIONS FROM WHICH HE INADVERTENTLY DESCENDED INTO THE WATER AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN A WEATHER BRIEFING; LACK OF RECENT INSTRUMENT FLYING EXPERIENCE; OVERCONFIDENT IN HIS OWN ABILITY TO CONDUCT A SAFE FLIGHT IN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT DESCENDED INTO THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA WHILE ON A NIGHT VISUAL FLIGHT FROM OAKLAND TO SAN FRANCISCO. THE WEATHER WAS INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS WITH VISIBILITY BETWEEN ONE TO FOUR MILES WITH MODERATE RAIN SHOWERS AND FOG. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO RADIO SAN FRANCISCO TOWER BUT WAS ADVISED HE WAS STILL BROADCASTING ON THE OAKLAND TOWER FREQUENCY. THE PILOT ACKNOWLEDGED THE ADVICE AND WAS NOT HEARD FROM AGAIN. THE AIRCRAFT WAS RECOVERED FROM THE BAY AFTER EXPOSURE TO SALT WATER. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT WRECKAGE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE PLT WAS NOT FOUND. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PILOT HAD LITTLE RECENT INSTRUMENT EXPERIENCE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:00 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 206L-1
Tail NumberN1072S
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · C28B · Turboshaft · 500
Seats7
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 42 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind220° @ 20 kt
Visibility1 sm
CeilingOvercast 1600 ft
Temperature / Dew Point48 / 48
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time01:45
Weather SourceWFAC