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
March 30, 1985 · Bell 47G-2 · N4227B
Watsonville, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 30, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Watsonville, CA
Aircraft
Bell 47G-2
Tail Number
N4227B
Operator
Helicair Ag
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX85LVM03
THE PLT STATED HE INTENDED TO CLIMB OVER A PWR LINE AT THE END OF A SWATH RUN, HOWEVER, A TAILWIND GUST WAS ENCOUNTERED AND THE ACFT COULD NOT OBTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO CLEAR THE LINE. THE PLT ELECTED TO FLY UNDER THE LINE UNAWARE OF A LOWER LINE WHICH EXISTED. THE HELICOPTER CONTACTED THE LINE, DESCENDED TO THE TERRAIN AND ROLLED OVER.
Full Narrative
THE PLT STATED HE INTENDED TO CLIMB OVER A PWR LINE AT THE END OF A SWATH RUN, HOWEVER, A TAILWIND GUST WAS ENCOUNTERED AND THE ACFT COULD NOT OBTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO CLEAR THE LINE. THE PLT ELECTED TO FLY UNDER THE LINE UNAWARE OF A LOWER LINE WHICH EXISTED. THE HELICOPTER CONTACTED THE LINE, DESCENDED TO THE TERRAIN AND ROLLED OVER.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:15 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 47G-2
Tail NumberN4227B
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorHelicair Ag
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO-435-A1O · Reciprocating · 260
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 66 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDawn
Wind300° @ 5 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:57
Weather SourceWFAC