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 2, 1987 · Robinson R22 · N9078Z
Sterling, MA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 2, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Sterling, MA
Aircraft
Robinson R22
Tail Number
N9078Z
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC87LA217
BEFORE FLYING SOLO, THE STUDENT PLT & HIS INSTRUCTOR (CFI) PRACTICED AUTOROTATIONS FOR ABOUT 1/2 HR. THE CFI DEPLANED & THE STUDENT TOOK OFF ON A SOLO FLT. HE FLEW TO A RESERVOIR AREA FOR MORE PRACTICE. AFTER DESCENDING FROM ABOUT 1000' TO 500', THE ENG LOST POWER. THE STUDENT MADE AN AUTOROTATION TO THE AN OPEN AREA NEAR THE RESERVOIR. HOWEVER, DURING TOUCHDOWN ON SLOPING TERRAIN, THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER. A POST-ACDNT EXAM WAS MADE, BUT NO ENG OR FUEL SYSTEM DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND.
Full Narrative
BEFORE FLYING SOLO, THE STUDENT PLT & HIS INSTRUCTOR (CFI) PRACTICED AUTOROTATIONS FOR ABOUT 1/2 HR. THE CFI DEPLANED & THE STUDENT TOOK OFF ON A SOLO FLT. HE FLEW TO A RESERVOIR AREA FOR MORE PRACTICE. AFTER DESCENDING FROM ABOUT 1000' TO 500', THE ENG LOST POWER. THE STUDENT MADE AN AUTOROTATION TO THE AN OPEN AREA NEAR THE RESERVOIR. HOWEVER, DURING TOUCHDOWN ON SLOPING TERRAIN, THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER. A POST-ACDNT EXAM WAS MADE, BUT NO ENG OR FUEL SYSTEM DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:20 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftRobinson R22
Tail NumberN9078Z
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-B2C · Reciprocating · 124
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 27 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO