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
October 4, 1982 · Hughes TH-55A · N8045F
Balmorhea, TX
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 4, 1982
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Balmorhea, TX
Aircraft
Hughes TH-55A
Tail Number
N8045F
Operator
Los Hermanos De La Frontera
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW83LA008
A HUGHES HELICOPTER WAS DAMAGED WHEN IT LOST POWER DURING TAKEOFF AND WAS CRASHED INTO A TREE TO PREVENT IT FROM ROLLING DOWN A HILL. THE WEATHER WAS VMC AND NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. THE PILOT SAID THE MANIFOLD PRESSURE DECAYED FROM22 INCHES TO 18 INCHES AND ROTOR RPM BEGAN TO BLEED OFF. THE PILOT TRIED TO REGAIN MANIFOLD PRESSURE BY REDUCING COLLECTIVE BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS 8,800 FEET. NO DISCREPANCIES, OTHER THAN IMPACT RELATED, WERE FOUND DURING AN INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE.
Full Narrative
A HUGHES HELICOPTER WAS DAMAGED WHEN IT LOST POWER DURING TAKEOFF AND WAS CRASHED INTO A TREE TO PREVENT IT FROM ROLLING DOWN A HILL. THE WEATHER WAS VMC AND NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. THE PILOT SAID THE MANIFOLD PRESSURE DECAYED FROM22 INCHES TO 18 INCHES AND ROTOR RPM BEGAN TO BLEED OFF. THE PILOT TRIED TO REGAIN MANIFOLD PRESSURE BY REDUCING COLLECTIVE BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS 8,800 FEET. NO DISCREPANCIES, OTHER THAN IMPACT RELATED, WERE FOUND DURING AN INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:15 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHughes TH-55A
Tail NumberN8045F
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorLos Hermanos De La Frontera
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360-B1A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 31 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 8 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point16 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time14:15