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
September 19, 1986 · Bell 206B · N16978
Eugene Island
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 19, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 unknown outcome
Location
Eugene Island
Aircraft
Bell 206B
Tail Number
N16978
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW86LA169
COMMERCIAL HELICOPTER PILOT ENGAGED IN OFF-SHORE FLIGHT OPERATIONS FAILED TO REMOVE AIRCRAFT TIE-DOWN LINES PRIOR TO TAKE OFF FROM THE OIL RIG. PILOT LOST CONTROL OF AIRCRAFT IN A HOVER CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO COLLIDE WITH A METAL SAFETY NET AND, SUBSEQUENTLY, THE BOOM OF A CRANE. TAIL SECTION OF AIRCRAFT SEPARATED AND LODGED IN CRANE BOOM. AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE WATER INVERTED AND SANK. AIRCRAFT WAS NOT RECOVERED. PILOT SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES. HOWEVER, ONE COMPANY EMPLOYEE LOCATED IN NEAR-BY BUNKHOUSE SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURIES TO BOTH LEGS.
Full Narrative
COMMERCIAL HELICOPTER PILOT ENGAGED IN OFF-SHORE FLIGHT OPERATIONS FAILED TO REMOVE AIRCRAFT TIE-DOWN LINES PRIOR TO TAKE OFF FROM THE OIL RIG. PILOT LOST CONTROL OF AIRCRAFT IN A HOVER CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO COLLIDE WITH A METAL SAFETY NET AND, SUBSEQUENTLY, THE BOOM OF A CRANE. TAIL SECTION OF AIRCRAFT SEPARATED AND LODGED IN CRANE BOOM. AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE WATER INVERTED AND SANK. AIRCRAFT WAS NOT RECOVERED. PILOT SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES. HOWEVER, ONE COMPANY EMPLOYEE LOCATED IN NEAR-BY BUNKHOUSE SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURIES TO BOTH LEGS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:40 UTC
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 206B
Tail NumberN16978
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 370
Seats5
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 unknown outcome
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 36 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind140° @ 8 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3000 ft
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:46
Weather SourceWFAC