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

February 10, 2001 · Bell 47-G3B1 · N3084G

Winterhaven, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 10, 2001
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Winterhaven, CA
Aircraft
Bell 47-G3B1
Tail Number
N3084G
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX01LA098

The pilot was applying chemicals at night to a field of lettuce and had just taken off from his truck platform with 60 gallons of chemicals. He was about 20 feet above ground level and had a forward air speed of approximately 30 miles per hour when he heard a loud screeching sound, followed by a yaw to the left, a rapid decay of rotor rpm, and an increase/overspeed in engine rpm. The helicopter landed hard, collapsing the skids. Post accident examination of the transmission was conducted, revealing that the outer surface of the free wheeling unit of the inner gear assembly was worn below allowable limits at the roller/gear operating surface. The worn freewheeling inner ring gear allowed a mechanical disconnect between the engine output and the main rotor transmission, and resulted in a loss of main rotor speed and the subsequent hard landing.

NTSB Probable Cause

A failure of the transmission free wheeling unit due to improper maintenance. A factor was the dark night visual condition.

Full Narrative

On February 9, 2001, about 1900 hours Pacific standard time, a Bell 47-G3B1, N3084G, landed hard near Winterhaven, California, following a drive train failure during a night agricultural spraying operation. The helicopter was owned and operated by Sundown Helicopters, Inc., of Yuma, Arizona, and was substantially damaged. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was operating under 14 CFR Part 137. The flight was originating at the time of the occurrence. The pilot reported that he was applying chemicals to a field of lettuce and had just taken off from his truck platform with 60 gallons of chemicals. He said that he was about 20 feet above ground level and had a forward air speed of approximately 30 miles per hour when he heard a loud screeching sound, followed by a yaw to the left, a rapid decay of rotor rpm, and an increase/overspeed in engine rpm. The helicopter landed hard, collapsing the skids. Post accident examination of the transmission was conducted on February 10, 2001. Examination of the free wheeling unit revealed the outer surface of the inner gear assembly was worn below allowable limits at the roller/gear operating surface. No other discrepancies were noted.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:00 PST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 47-G3B1
Tail NumberN3084G
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsAvco Lycoming · TVO-435-B1A · Reciprocating · 280
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 53 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind30° @ 1 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data