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
June 29, 1986 · Hiller 12C · N1042C
Lehighton, PA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 29, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Lehighton, PA
Aircraft
Hiller 12C
Tail Number
N1042C
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC86LA160
THE PILOT OF THE HILLER 12C REPORTED AN OVERHEATED ENGINE FOLLOWED BY AN ENGINE FAILURE. DURING THE FORCED LANDING THE MAIN ROTOR FLEXED AND CUT THE TAIL BOOM OFF THE THE AIRCRAFT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS EXAMINED. 10 OZ. OF A LIQUID WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. 7 OZ. WAS FUEL AND 3 OZ. WAS WATER. THE REPORTED ENGINE OVERHEAT AND ENGINE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPRODUCED. THE ENGINE RAN SATISFACTORLY. THE PILOT AND PASSENGER WERE UNINJURED IN THE ACCIDENT WHICH OCCURRED IN DAYLIGHT. THE PLT/OWNER HAD HABIT OF NOT REFUELING AFT FLTS THUS LEAVING TKS LESS THAN FULL AND SUSCEPTIBLE TO WATER CONDESATION.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT OF THE HILLER 12C REPORTED AN OVERHEATED ENGINE FOLLOWED BY AN ENGINE FAILURE. DURING THE FORCED LANDING THE MAIN ROTOR FLEXED AND CUT THE TAIL BOOM OFF THE THE AIRCRAFT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS EXAMINED. 10 OZ. OF A LIQUID WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. 7 OZ. WAS FUEL AND 3 OZ. WAS WATER. THE REPORTED ENGINE OVERHEAT AND ENGINE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPRODUCED. THE ENGINE RAN SATISFACTORLY. THE PILOT AND PASSENGER WERE UNINJURED IN THE ACCIDENT WHICH OCCURRED IN DAYLIGHT. THE PLT/OWNER HAD HABIT OF NOT REFUELING AFT FLTS THUS LEAVING TKS LESS THAN FULL AND SUSCEPTIBLE TO WATER CONDESATION.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:00 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHiller 12C
Tail NumberN1042C
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsFranklin · 6A-335-B1 · Reciprocating · 210
Seats3
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 65 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO