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
March 9, 1986 · Hughes 500D · N8352F
Mt. Crawford, VA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 9, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 3 uninjured
Location
Mt. Crawford, VA
Aircraft
Hughes 500D
Tail Number
N8352F
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO86FA018
AFTER REFUELING AT SHENANDOAH VALLEY AIRPORT LOCATED NEAR STAUNTON, VIRGINIA, THE HELICOPTER CLIMBED TO ABOUT 1800 FEET MSL ON A NORTH HEADING. APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES AFTER DEPARTURE A LOUD RUMBLE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE AIRCRAFT AND THE PILOT IMMEDIATELY LOWERED THE COLLECTIVE AND ROLLED OFF THE THROTTLE. THE STUDENT PILOT, SITTING IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT, STATED THAT AFTER THE PILOT INITIATED THE FLARE, THE HELICOPTER 'HUNG IN THE AIR FOR A MONENT AT APPROX. 30' AGL THEN DROPPED TO THE GROUND AND ROLLED OVER.' DISASSEMBLY OF THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE GEAR ASSEMBLY REVEALED THAT THE OUTPUT DRIVE PINION HAD FAILED. LABORATORY EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE FRACTURE SURFACES REVEALED MARKINGS TYPICAL OF FATIGUE PROGRESSION. MCDONNELL DOUGLAS HELICOPTER COMPANY HAD ISSUED AN ENGINEERING ORDER #139419 WHICH CONCERNED REWORKING THE DRIVE PINION, HOWEVER, A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS NOT ISSUED REGARDING THE NEED TO REWORK THE PINION AT OVERHAUL.
Full Narrative
AFTER REFUELING AT SHENANDOAH VALLEY AIRPORT LOCATED NEAR STAUNTON, VIRGINIA, THE HELICOPTER CLIMBED TO ABOUT 1800 FEET MSL ON A NORTH HEADING. APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES AFTER DEPARTURE A LOUD RUMBLE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE AIRCRAFT AND THE PILOT IMMEDIATELY LOWERED THE COLLECTIVE AND ROLLED OFF THE THROTTLE. THE STUDENT PILOT, SITTING IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT, STATED THAT AFTER THE PILOT INITIATED THE FLARE, THE HELICOPTER 'HUNG IN THE AIR FOR A MONENT AT APPROX. 30' AGL THEN DROPPED TO THE GROUND AND ROLLED OVER.' DISASSEMBLY OF THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE GEAR ASSEMBLY REVEALED THAT THE OUTPUT DRIVE PINION HAD FAILED. LABORATORY EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE FRACTURE SURFACES REVEALED MARKINGS TYPICAL OF FATIGUE PROGRESSION. MCDONNELL DOUGLAS HELICOPTER COMPANY HAD ISSUED AN ENGINEERING ORDER #139419 WHICH CONCERNED REWORKING THE DRIVE PINION, HOWEVER, A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS NOT ISSUED REGARDING THE NEED TO REWORK THE PINION AT OVERHAUL.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:15 EST
Nearest Airport5nm NE
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHughes 500D
Tail NumberN8352F
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 420
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 3 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total4
Crew 1Age 27 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 15 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 57
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:05
Weather SourceWFAC