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 7, 1987 · Bell 412 · N3910U
Galveston, TX
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 7, 1987
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Galveston, TX
Aircraft
Bell 412
Tail Number
N3910U
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW88FA036
THE ACFT LANDED HARD IN THE GULF OF MEXICO DURING AN AUTOROTATION THAT WAS ENTERED FOLLOWING THE SEPARATION OF THE 90 DEGREE GEARBOX. THE GEARBOX (WITH TAIL ROTOR BLADES) SEPARATED DUE TO AN IMBALANCE. HOWEVER, THE GEARBOX WAS NOT RECOVERED DURING THE INVESTIGATION AND THE CAUSE OF THE IMBALANCE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT LANDED HARD IN THE GULF OF MEXICO DURING AN AUTOROTATION THAT WAS ENTERED FOLLOWING THE SEPARATION OF THE 90 DEGREE GEARBOX. THE GEARBOX (WITH TAIL ROTOR BLADES) SEPARATED DUE TO AN IMBALANCE. HOWEVER, THE GEARBOX WAS NOT RECOVERED DURING THE INVESTIGATION AND THE CAUSE OF THE IMBALANCE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:45 CST
Nearest AirportScholes Fld (2nm S)
Runway31
Runway Length6000 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 412
Tail NumberN3910U
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsP&W · PT-6T-3B · Turboshaft · 1350
Seats13
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 36 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind350° @ 17 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingOvercast 1500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 54
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time19:45
Weather SourceWFAC