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 23, 1983 · S N I A S AS350D · N5786B

Cape Girardeau, MO

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 23, 1983
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Cape Girardeau, MO
Aircraft
S N I A S AS350D
Tail Number
N5786B
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MKC83LA222

THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING FLT, HE HEARD A GRINDING NOISE, THEN THE HELICOPTER PITCHED UP & TO THE LEFT. HE REDUCED POWER & NOTICED THAT THE TAIL ROTOR WAS INOPERATIVE. DURING A RUN-ON LANDING APPROACH, THE HELICOPTER BEGUN TO YAW, THEN BEFORE TOUCHDOWN, IT BEGAN TO SPIN. DURING GROUND IMPACT, THE LANDING GEAR SKIDS WERE TWISTED, THE VERTICAL FIN WAS KNOCKED OFF, ALL MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCT THE GROUND & THE RIGHT FRONT & RIGHT REAR DOORS WERE DAMAGED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT, PN 350A34-0110-02, HAD FAILED.

Full Narrative

THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING FLT, HE HEARD A GRINDING NOISE, THEN THE HELICOPTER PITCHED UP & TO THE LEFT. HE REDUCED POWER & NOTICED THAT THE TAIL ROTOR WAS INOPERATIVE. DURING A RUN-ON LANDING APPROACH, THE HELICOPTER BEGUN TO YAW, THEN BEFORE TOUCHDOWN, IT BEGAN TO SPIN. DURING GROUND IMPACT, THE LANDING GEAR SKIDS WERE TWISTED, THE VERTICAL FIN WAS KNOCKED OFF, ALL MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCT THE GROUND & THE RIGHT FRONT & RIGHT REAR DOORS WERE DAMAGED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT, PN 350A34-0110-02, HAD FAILED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:30 CDT
Nearest AirportCape Girardeau Muni (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftS N I A S AS350D
Tail NumberN5786B
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsLycoming · LTS-101 · Turboshaft · 650
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 37 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind60° @ 6 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:27
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data