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 13, 1987 · Aerospatiale SA315-D LAMA SA315-D LA · N47256
Siletz, OR
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 13, 1987
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Siletz, OR
Aircraft
Aerospatiale SA315-D LAMA SA315-D LA
Tail Number
N47256
Operator
Rocky Mountain Helicopters
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA87LA092
DURING EXTERNAL LOAD OPERATIONS THE CHOCKERS BECAME LOOSE DUE TO IMPROPER LOADING. THE EXTERNAL LOAD LONGLINE CABLE BECAME ENTANGLED WITH THE TAILROTOR CAUSING A FAILURE OF THE TAIL ROTOR SYSTEM. THE HELICOPTER ASSUMED A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE AND SPUN TO THE LEFT, IMPACTING TERRAIN WITH THE LEFT SKID, AND THEN ROLLING OVER ONTO ITS RIGHT SIDE. THE TAIL ROTOR WAS LOCATED 100 YARDS FROM THE IMPACT AREA.
Full Narrative
DURING EXTERNAL LOAD OPERATIONS THE CHOCKERS BECAME LOOSE DUE TO IMPROPER LOADING. THE EXTERNAL LOAD LONGLINE CABLE BECAME ENTANGLED WITH THE TAILROTOR CAUSING A FAILURE OF THE TAIL ROTOR SYSTEM. THE HELICOPTER ASSUMED A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE AND SPUN TO THE LEFT, IMPACTING TERRAIN WITH THE LEFT SKID, AND THEN ROLLING OVER ONTO ITS RIGHT SIDE. THE TAIL ROTOR WAS LOCATED 100 YARDS FROM THE IMPACT AREA.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:20 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftAerospatiale SA315-D LAMA SA315-D LA
Tail NumberN47256
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorRocky Mountain Helicopters
Operating RulePart 133
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsArtouste Iiib · T-MECA · Turboshaft · 562
Seats5
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 44 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDawn
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO