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
April 23, 1986 · Hughes 269A · N8752F
Ft. Wayne, IN
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 23, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Ft. Wayne, IN
Aircraft
Hughes 269A
Tail Number
N8752F
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI86LA127
APPROX 10-15 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF THE STUDENT PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER AND CRASH LANDED INTO TREES. FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT, THE ONLY UNUSUAL THING FAA PERSONNEL COULD LOCATE WAS A FAILED HORIZONTAL STABILIZER SPAR. POST-CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE STABILIZER REVEALED THAT IT WAS A HUGHES PART EXTENSIVELY MODIFIED FOLLOWING MANUFACTURE BY PERSONS UNKNOWN. SEVERAL SKIN CRACKS ON THE STABILIZER HAD BEEN UNSUCCESSFULLY STOP DRILLED IN AN ATTEMPT TO STOP CRACK PROGRESSION. IN ADDITION, ALL SKIN TO SPAR RIVETS WERE NONSTANDARD.
Full Narrative
APPROX 10-15 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF THE STUDENT PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER AND CRASH LANDED INTO TREES. FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT, THE ONLY UNUSUAL THING FAA PERSONNEL COULD LOCATE WAS A FAILED HORIZONTAL STABILIZER SPAR. POST-CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE STABILIZER REVEALED THAT IT WAS A HUGHES PART EXTENSIVELY MODIFIED FOLLOWING MANUFACTURE BY PERSONS UNKNOWN. SEVERAL SKIN CRACKS ON THE STABILIZER HAD BEEN UNSUCCESSFULLY STOP DRILLED IN AN ATTEMPT TO STOP CRACK PROGRESSION. IN ADDITION, ALL SKIN TO SPAR RIVETS WERE NONSTANDARD.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:45 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHughes 269A
Tail NumberN8752F
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-C2D · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 29 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO