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
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open 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…

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 manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

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 17, 1985 · Bell 206B · N2160L

Pacific Ocean, PO

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 17, 1985
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Pacific Ocean, PO
Aircraft
Bell 206B
Tail Number
N2160L
Operator
Caribbean Marina Serv
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX85LA407

THE HELICOPTER EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF PWR WITHIN 10 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF FROM A FISHING VESSEL. THE HELICOPTER WAS DITCHED IN THE OCEAN AT COORDINATES 11.25'N AND 103.37'W. EXAMINATION OF FUEL SAMPLES FROM THE FISHING VESSEL REVEALED BOTH UPPER AND LOWER FUEL FILTERS WERE HEAVILY CONTAMINATED WITH WATER AND OTHER FOREIGN MATERIAL. ROUGH SEAS WERE REPORTED FOR THE PREVIOUS THREE DAYS.

Full Narrative

THE HELICOPTER EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF PWR WITHIN 10 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF FROM A FISHING VESSEL. THE HELICOPTER WAS DITCHED IN THE OCEAN AT COORDINATES 11.25'N AND 103.37'W. EXAMINATION OF FUEL SAMPLES FROM THE FISHING VESSEL REVEALED BOTH UPPER AND LOWER FUEL FILTERS WERE HEAVILY CONTAMINATED WITH WATER AND OTHER FOREIGN MATERIAL. ROUGH SEAS WERE REPORTED FOR THE PREVIOUS THREE DAYS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:04 UTC
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 206B
Tail NumberN2160L
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorCaribbean Marina Serv
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20 · Turboshaft · 317

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 43 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 20 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data