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
April 27, 1984 · Aerospatiale AS 315B · N3835W
Hartshorn, OK
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 27, 1984
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Hartshorn, OK
Aircraft
Aerospatiale AS 315B
Tail Number
N3835W
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW84LA213
THE HELICOPTER SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE DURING AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING FOLLOWING AN EXPLOSION IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WHILE IN LEVEL FLIGHT AT 1000 FT AGL, THE PLT HEARD A LOUD SCREECH FROM THE ENGINE AREA FOLLOWED BY A LOUD BANG. A WINGMAN OBSERVED 10 FT FLAMES FROM THE ENGINE EXHAUST. A HARD AUTOROTATIVE LANDING RESULTED WHEN THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO STRETCH THE GLIDE TO A MORE SUITABLE LANDING AREA. THE PLT THEN EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE USING AN ONBOARD EXTINGUISHER. METALLURGICAL EXAM OF THE AXIAL COMPRESSOR SECTION TRACED THE COMPRESSOR BLADE FAILURE TO AN IMPROPER RETAINING PIN WHICH CAUSED A STRESS CONCENTRATION IN THE COMPRESSOR BLADE ROOT. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE PIN WAS INSTALLED DURING THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURING PROCESS.
Full Narrative
THE HELICOPTER SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE DURING AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING FOLLOWING AN EXPLOSION IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WHILE IN LEVEL FLIGHT AT 1000 FT AGL, THE PLT HEARD A LOUD SCREECH FROM THE ENGINE AREA FOLLOWED BY A LOUD BANG. A WINGMAN OBSERVED 10 FT FLAMES FROM THE ENGINE EXHAUST. A HARD AUTOROTATIVE LANDING RESULTED WHEN THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO STRETCH THE GLIDE TO A MORE SUITABLE LANDING AREA. THE PLT THEN EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE USING AN ONBOARD EXTINGUISHER. METALLURGICAL EXAM OF THE AXIAL COMPRESSOR SECTION TRACED THE COMPRESSOR BLADE FAILURE TO AN IMPROPER RETAINING PIN WHICH CAUSED A STRESS CONCENTRATION IN THE COMPRESSOR BLADE ROOT. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE PIN WAS INSTALLED DURING THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURING PROCESS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:15 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireIflt
Aircraft ExplosionIflt
Aircraft
AircraftAerospatiale AS 315B
Tail NumberN3835W
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsTurbomeca · ARTOUSTEIII-B · Turboshaft · 562
Seats5
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 34 · Unknown
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 4 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 54
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time11:55
Weather SourceWFAC