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 17, 1989 · Bell 206B III · N5013C
Lewiston, ID
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 17, 1989
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Lewiston, ID
Aircraft
Bell 206B III
Tail Number
N5013C
Operator
Gale Wilson
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA89LA087
DURING PRACTICE EXTERNAL LOAD (WATER DROP) OPS, PLT AT CONTROLS WAS MANEUVERING FOR DROP AND FAILED TO ALLOW FOR A LOAD SWING WHICH CAUSED THE HELICOPTER TO PITCH UP. PLT LOWERED COLLECTIVE AND COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN. BOTH PILOTS WERE PRACTICING WATER DROPS DURING THE FLIGHT.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE HELICOPTER'S FLIGHT CONTROLS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF THE EXTERNAL LOAD CHARACTERISTICS.
Full Narrative
DURING PRACTICE EXTERNAL LOAD (WATER DROP) OPS, PLT AT CONTROLS WAS MANEUVERING FOR DROP AND FAILED TO ALLOW FOR A LOAD SWING WHICH CAUSED THE HELICOPTER TO PITCH UP. PLT LOWERED COLLECTIVE AND COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN. BOTH PILOTS WERE PRACTICING WATER DROPS DURING THE FLIGHT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:15 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 206B III
Tail NumberN5013C
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorGale Wilson
Operating RulePart 133
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 420
Seats5
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 41 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind225° @ 6 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point39 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO