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
December 9, 1986 · Hughes 369HS · N8390F
Zephyrhills, FL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 9, 1986
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Zephyrhills, FL
Aircraft
Hughes 369HS
Tail Number
N8390F
Operator
F M Mc Gahee
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA87FA046
A WITNESS STATED THAT SHE HEARD THE ENG ON THE HELICOPTER QUIT. SHE LOOKED OUT HER WINDOW AND WATCHED THE HELICOPTER HIT THE GROUND, BOUNCE, HIT AGAIN, FLIP OVER AND THE TAIL BROKE OFF. THE HELICOPTER THEN BURST INTO FLAMES AND EXPLODED.EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THAT THE PC AIR FILTER ASSEMBLY WAS BROKEN AT THE FORWARD INLET SIDE OF THE FILTER BODY WHICH RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF PC AIR PRESSURE TO THE FUEL CONTROL.THIS CAUSED THE ENG POWER TO REDUCE TO FLIGHT IDLE. THE PC FILTER HOUSING BROKE DUE TO AN IMPROPER MODIFICATION TO THE FILTER BODY.
Full Narrative
A WITNESS STATED THAT SHE HEARD THE ENG ON THE HELICOPTER QUIT. SHE LOOKED OUT HER WINDOW AND WATCHED THE HELICOPTER HIT THE GROUND, BOUNCE, HIT AGAIN, FLIP OVER AND THE TAIL BROKE OFF. THE HELICOPTER THEN BURST INTO FLAMES AND EXPLODED.EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THAT THE PC AIR FILTER ASSEMBLY WAS BROKEN AT THE FORWARD INLET SIDE OF THE FILTER BODY WHICH RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF PC AIR PRESSURE TO THE FUEL CONTROL.THIS CAUSED THE ENG POWER TO REDUCE TO FLIGHT IDLE. THE PC FILTER HOUSING BROKE DUE TO AN IMPROPER MODIFICATION TO THE FILTER BODY.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:30 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftHughes 369HS
Tail NumberN8390F
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorF M Mc Gahee
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20 · Turboshaft · 278
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 68 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 8 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time19:51
Weather SourceWFAC