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

October 10, 1982 · Bell 47G2 · N5159B

5Nm East Of Sal, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 10, 1982
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
5Nm East Of Sal, CA
Aircraft
Bell 47G2
Tail Number
N5159B
Operator
Wayne D Handley Crop Flight
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX83LVM01

AFTER TAKEOFF, DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT, THE PILOT FELT A SUDDEN JOLT AND THE ENGINE RPM REVVED THEN DECAYED VERY RAPIDLY. THE PILOT MADE A HARD LANDING AND THE MAIN ROTOR SEVERED THE TAIL ROTOR. THE AIRCRAFT WAS WITHIN THE WEIGHT AND BALANCE LIMITATIONS.

Full Narrative

AFTER TAKEOFF, DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT, THE PILOT FELT A SUDDEN JOLT AND THE ENGINE RPM REVVED THEN DECAYED VERY RAPIDLY. THE PILOT MADE A HARD LANDING AND THE MAIN ROTOR SEVERED THE TAIL ROTOR. THE AIRCRAFT WAS WITHIN THE WEIGHT AND BALANCE LIMITATIONS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:55 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 47G2
Tail NumberN5159B
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWayne D Handley Crop Flight
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-435-23C-R · Reciprocating · 260
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 30 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind135° @ 3 kt
Visibility60 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point12 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data