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 10, 1985 · Aerospatiale SA365N · N5800H
Adrian, MI
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 10, 1985
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (2 fatalities, 1 serious injury)
Location
Adrian, MI
Aircraft
Aerospatiale SA365N
Tail Number
N5800H
Operator
Ems
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI86FA046
THE PURPOSE OF THIS FLIGHT WAS TO PICK UP AN INJURED PATIENT AND RETURN HIM TO A MEDICAL CENTER. THE WEATHER WAS ADEQUATE FOR A VFR TAKEOFF. HOWEVER, ENROUTE WEATHER REPORTS INDICATED FOG AND PROBABLE LOW CEILINGS. ACCORDING TO THE SINGLE SURVIVOR OF THE ACCIDENT, THE PILOT FLEW INTO 'THICK FOG' SHORTLY BEFORE REACHING THEIR DESTINATION FOR THE PATIENT PICKUP. AGAIN ACCORDING TO THE SURVIVOR, THE PILOT THEN TURNED TO THE LEFT. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE HELICOPTER STRUCK TREES AND CRASHED TO THE GROUND. AN EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE AND TEARDOWNS OF BOTH ENGINES REVEALED NO PRE- CRASH MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS.
Full Narrative
THE PURPOSE OF THIS FLIGHT WAS TO PICK UP AN INJURED PATIENT AND RETURN HIM TO A MEDICAL CENTER. THE WEATHER WAS ADEQUATE FOR A VFR TAKEOFF. HOWEVER, ENROUTE WEATHER REPORTS INDICATED FOG AND PROBABLE LOW CEILINGS. ACCORDING TO THE SINGLE SURVIVOR OF THE ACCIDENT, THE PILOT FLEW INTO 'THICK FOG' SHORTLY BEFORE REACHING THEIR DESTINATION FOR THE PATIENT PICKUP. AGAIN ACCORDING TO THE SURVIVOR, THE PILOT THEN TURNED TO THE LEFT. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE HELICOPTER STRUCK TREES AND CRASHED TO THE GROUND. AN EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE AND TEARDOWNS OF BOTH ENGINES REVEALED NO PRE- CRASH MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time04:11 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftAerospatiale SA365N
Tail NumberN5800H
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorEms
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsTurbomeca · ARRIEL1C · Turboshaft · 660
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (2 fatalities, 1 serious injury)
Fatal2
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 49 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Ceiling200 ft
Temperature / Dew Point30 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time04:30
Weather SourceWIT