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
February 25, 1985 · Robinson R-22A · N85550
Santa Barbara, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 25, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Santa Barbara, CA
Aircraft
Robinson R-22A
Tail Number
N85550
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX85LA155
STUDENT PLT STATED THAT WHILE FLYING THE LAST LEG OF A SOLO CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT HE WAS FLYING ALONG THE COAST AT 50 TO 75 FEET, HE DIVERTED HIS ATTENTION TO LOOK AT THE A MAN ON THE BEACH AND WHEN HE LOOKED BACK AT THE INSTRUMENTS HE NOTICED THE HELICOPTER WAS DESCENDING. BEFORE THE DESCENT RATE COULD BE ARRESTED THE HELICOPTER CRASHED INTO THE PACIFIC OCEAN. THE PILOT DOES NOT SUSPECT HE LOST POWER AT THE TIME HE ATTEMPTED TO ARREST HIS DESCENT AND POST CRASH INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE TO INDICATE PRECRASH MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.
Full Narrative
STUDENT PLT STATED THAT WHILE FLYING THE LAST LEG OF A SOLO CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT HE WAS FLYING ALONG THE COAST AT 50 TO 75 FEET, HE DIVERTED HIS ATTENTION TO LOOK AT THE A MAN ON THE BEACH AND WHEN HE LOOKED BACK AT THE INSTRUMENTS HE NOTICED THE HELICOPTER WAS DESCENDING. BEFORE THE DESCENT RATE COULD BE ARRESTED THE HELICOPTER CRASHED INTO THE PACIFIC OCEAN. THE PILOT DOES NOT SUSPECT HE LOST POWER AT THE TIME HE ATTEMPTED TO ARREST HIS DESCENT AND POST CRASH INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE TO INDICATE PRECRASH MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:02 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftRobinson R-22A
Tail NumberN85550
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-B2C · Reciprocating · 124
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 20 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 11 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 54
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time23:02
Weather SourceWFAC