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
August 18, 1983 · Bell 47G-3B · N73248
Paxton, NE
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 18, 1983
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 unknown outcome
Location
Paxton, NE
Aircraft
Bell 47G-3B
Tail Number
N73248
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MKC83FA196
THE PLT STATED THAT AFTER LANDING ON A TRUCK PLATFORM, HE DID NOT DECREASE ROTOR RPM & DID NOT LOWER COLLECTIVE TO FLAT PITCH AS HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO RECOVER A PIECE OF PAPER THAT HAD FALLEN TO THE FLOOR ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE COCKPIT. AS HE RELEASED THE CYCLIC CONTROL WITH HIS RIGHT HAND, THE ACFT SLIPPED TO THE RIGHT ACROSS THE PLATFORM'S STEEL SURFACE. THE PLT ADDED LEFT CYCLIC & APPLIED COLLECTIVE PITCH TO LIFT THE ACFT. THE RIGHT SKID CAUGHT ON THE PLATFORM FENCE & THE ACFT ROLLED TO THE RIGHT OFF THE PLATFORM. UPON IMPACTING THE GROUND, THE ACFT BURST INTO FLAMES. THE PLT'S SON ASSISTED HIM IN ESCAPING FROM THE BURNING WRECKAGE.
Full Narrative
THE PLT STATED THAT AFTER LANDING ON A TRUCK PLATFORM, HE DID NOT DECREASE ROTOR RPM & DID NOT LOWER COLLECTIVE TO FLAT PITCH AS HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO RECOVER A PIECE OF PAPER THAT HAD FALLEN TO THE FLOOR ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE COCKPIT. AS HE RELEASED THE CYCLIC CONTROL WITH HIS RIGHT HAND, THE ACFT SLIPPED TO THE RIGHT ACROSS THE PLATFORM'S STEEL SURFACE. THE PLT ADDED LEFT CYCLIC & APPLIED COLLECTIVE PITCH TO LIFT THE ACFT. THE RIGHT SKID CAUGHT ON THE PLATFORM FENCE & THE ACFT ROLLED TO THE RIGHT OFF THE PLATFORM. UPON IMPACTING THE GROUND, THE ACFT BURST INTO FLAMES. THE PLT'S SON ASSISTED HIM IN ESCAPING FROM THE BURNING WRECKAGE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:00 MDT
Nearest Airport18nm ENE
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 47G-3B
Tail NumberN73248
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TVO-435-A1B · Reciprocating · 260
Seats3
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 unknown outcome
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 51 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind110° @ 9 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time00:51
Weather SourcePILO