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

April 13, 2002 · Bell 206-L3 · N19TD

New York, NY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 13, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
New York, NY
Aircraft
Bell 206-L3
Tail Number
N19TD
Operator
Helicopter Flight Services
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC02LA083

After completing the approach phase of the landing, the pilot was in the process of transitioning to a hover, when he decided to reduce his airspeed by 2-3 mph by adding "a little" aft cyclic. During the application of aft cyclic, the tail of the helicopter dropped, and the tail rotor blades struck a 6-inch high cement curb block, which was located at the edge of the helipad. The helicopter touched down uneventfully, and the engine was secured. The pilot additionally stated that he was too low during the landing.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper flare while landing, which resulted in a collision with a concrete curb.

Full Narrative

On April 13, 2002, about 1100 eastern daylight time, a Bell 206-L3 helicopter, N19TD, was substantially damaged while landing at the West 30th Street Heliport, New York, New York. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the positioning flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, while he was on approach for landing, he had completed the approach phase of the landing and was in the process of transitioning to a hover, when he decided to reduce his airspeed by 2-3 mph by adding "a little" aft cyclic. During the application of aft cyclic, the tail of the helicopter dropped, and the tail rotor blades struck a 6-inch high cement curb block, which was located at the edge of the helipad. The helicopter touched down uneventfully, and the engine was secured. The pilot additionally stated that he was too low during the landing. Examination of the helicopter by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that about 2-inches had separated from each tail rotor blade. Damage was also observed to the tail boom, the vertical stabilizer, and both sides of the fuselage. The recorded weather at a nearby airport, about the time of the accident, included winds from 180 degrees at 9 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:00 EDT
Nearest AirportWest 30Th St. Heliport (0nm)
RunwayH1
Runway Length62 ft
Runway Width62 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 206-L3
Tail NumberN19TD
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHelicopter Flight Services
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250/C30 · Turboshaft · 650
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 37 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 57
Altimeter30.25 inHg
Observation Time14:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data