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

March 26, 2002 · Bell 206L-3 · N30YB

Oakley, UT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 26, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (5 uninjured)
Location
Oakley, UT
Aircraft
Bell 206L-3
Tail Number
N30YB
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW02LA102

While operating in mountainous terrain at 10,000-foot elevation, the pilot landed the helicopter in an open area in the bottom of a canyon, where the passengers boarded the helicopter. Subsequently, with the helicopter at hover, the pilot noted that the torque gage was indicating 85-89 percent, the turbine outlet gas temperature was in the green, and everything else was in the green and functionally normally. The pilot turned the helicopter to the left to align with the takeoff area. During the turn, the torque gauge indicated 92 percent and stabilized. Subsequently, the torque gauge dropped to about 50 percent, and the helicopter started a rapid and uncontrolled turn to the left and descended. When the pilot applied collective, the low rpm audio came on and the helicopter started a rapid and uncontrolled turn to the right. The helicopter impacted on a hill, rolled to the left, and came to rest in the snow. The reason for the reported loss of engine power was not determined.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power for an undetermined reason. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

Full Narrative

On March 26, 2002, at 1230 mountain standard time, a Bell 206L-3 single-engine helicopter, N30YB, impacted terrain following a loss of engine power while hovering in mountainous terrain near Oakley, Utah. The helicopter was owned and operated by Pulsar Helicopters, Inc., Phoenix, Arizona, under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The commercial pilot and the 4 passengers were not injured, and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The personal flight originated from Bountiful, Utah, at 1100. The pilot reported that he had flown several trips in and out of the ski areas of the Uintah Mountains at approximately 10,000-foot elevation. The pilot landed the helicopter in an open area in the bottom of a canyon, where the passengers boarded the helicopter. Subsequently, with the helicopter at hover, the pilot noted that the torque gauge was indicating 85-89 percent, the turbine outlet gas temperature was in the green, and everything else was in the green and functioning normally. The pilot turned the helicopter to the left to align with the takeoff area. During the turn, the torque gauge indicated 92 percent and stabilized. Subsequently, the torque gauge dropped to about 50 percent, The helicopter started a rapid and uncontrolled turn to the left, and descended. When the pilot applied collective, the low rpm audio came on and the helicopter started a rapid and uncontrolled turn to the right. The helicopter impacted on a hill, rolled to the left, and came to rest in the snow. Local authorities, who responded to the accident site, found the helicopter resting on the left side. The helicopter sustained structural damage to the tail boom. The main rotor blades, tail rotor, transmission, and the tail rotor gearbox were also damaged. The reason for the reported loss of engine power was not determined.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:30 MST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 206L-3
Tail NumberN30YB
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C30P · Turboshaft · 435
Seats7

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (5 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured5
Total5
Crew 1Age 58 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point32 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data