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
August 6, 1989 · Keener Rotorway/Exec Rotorway/E · N4JK
Circleville, OH
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 6, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Circleville, OH
Aircraft
Keener Rotorway/Exec Rotorway/E
Tail Number
N4JK
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI89DEK02
THE PILOT OF THE ACCIDENT HELICOPTER SMELLED AND SAW SMOKE IN THE COCKPIT, AND NOTED A LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATION DURING CRUISE FLIGHT. THE PILOT PERFORMED AN AUTOROTATION IN A FIELD. AFTER LANDING, FLAMES WERE OBSERVED IN THE AREA OF THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. TWO HANDHELD FIRE EXTINGUISHERS WERE EXPENDED ON THE FLAMES, BUT EFFORTS TO PUT OUT THE FIRE WERE UNSUCCESSFUL AND THE HELCIOPTER WAS DESTROYED. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE DETERMINED THAT OIL MOST PROBABLY WAS LEAKING FROM A SPLIT IN THE OIL PRESSURE LINE.
NTSB Probable Cause
MATERIAL FAILURE OF AN OIL LINE ALLOWING OIL TO ESCAPE AND IGNITE AS IT TOUCHED HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD SURFACES.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT OF THE ACCIDENT HELICOPTER SMELLED AND SAW SMOKE IN THE COCKPIT, AND NOTED A LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATION DURING CRUISE FLIGHT. THE PILOT PERFORMED AN AUTOROTATION IN A FIELD. AFTER LANDING, FLAMES WERE OBSERVED IN THE AREA OF THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. TWO HANDHELD FIRE EXTINGUISHERS WERE EXPENDED ON THE FLAMES, BUT EFFORTS TO PUT OUT THE FIRE WERE UNSUCCESSFUL AND THE HELCIOPTER WAS DESTROYED. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE DETERMINED THAT OIL MOST PROBABLY WAS LEAKING FROM A SPLIT IN THE OIL PRESSURE LINE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:49 EDT
Nearest Airport10nm NE
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftKeener Rotorway/Exec Rotorway/E
Tail NumberN4JK
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotorway · RW-152 · Reciprocating · 152
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 32 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO