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 20, 1986 · Hughes 369-500D · N4493M
Fort Stockton, TX
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 20, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Fort Stockton, TX
Aircraft
Hughes 369-500D
Tail Number
N4493M
Operator
William O Bowers
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW86LA152
THE HELICOPTER PILOT ENTERED AUTOROTATION AFTER EXPERIENCING FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PILOT KNEW HE WAS LOW ON FUEL, BUT WAS DEPENDING ON HIS WARNING LIGHT TO INDICATE LOW FUEL.THE WARNING LIGHT NEVER CAME ON. ON TOUCHDOWN THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK THE GROUND CAUSING THE MAIN ROTOR TO SEVERE THE TAIL BOOM JUST AFT OF THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER.
Full Narrative
THE HELICOPTER PILOT ENTERED AUTOROTATION AFTER EXPERIENCING FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PILOT KNEW HE WAS LOW ON FUEL, BUT WAS DEPENDING ON HIS WARNING LIGHT TO INDICATE LOW FUEL.THE WARNING LIGHT NEVER CAME ON. ON TOUCHDOWN THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK THE GROUND CAUSING THE MAIN ROTOR TO SEVERE THE TAIL BOOM JUST AFT OF THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:00 CDT
Nearest Airport7nm E
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHughes 369-500D
Tail NumberN4493M
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWilliam O Bowers
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 375
Seats7
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 67 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind207° @ 9 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point10 C / 52
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time21:45
Weather SourceWFAC