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

November 23, 2002 · Enstrom F-28C · N552CS

Morrison, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 23, 2002
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Morrison, CO
Aircraft
Enstrom F-28C
Tail Number
N552CS
Operator
David Copp
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN03LA018

The pilot said his helicopter was approaching a landing area, located just east of a restaurant, from the south, in night visual meteorological conditions. During the approach, the pilot could not see the lighted flag on top of the restaurant, thus he could not determine the wind direction or velocity for landing. He executed a go around and began maneuvering so that he could approach the landing area from the east. The pilot said that at the "northern most point of the go around, a tail rotor strike was felt." The tail rotor struck telephone lines along the north side of a road. The pilot immediately put the helicopter down hard into a ditch alongside the road, breaking the left skid, crushing the right skid and fuselage upward, bending and twisting the main rotor blades, and bending the tail rotor blades. An examination of the helicopter's systems revealed no anomalies.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot not maintaining clearance from the telephone lines during landing. Factors contributing to the accident were the pilot not being able to see the telephone lines, the low altitude, and the dark night.

Full Narrative

On November 22, 2002, at 1830 mountain standard time, an Enstrom F-28C helicopter, N552CS, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when it made a hard landing in a ditch along a road near Morrison, Colorado. Prior to the hard landing, the helicopter's tail rotor struck telephone lines during a landing attempt. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted without a flight plan under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported minor injuries. The passenger on board reported no injuries. The flight originated at Longmont, Colorado, at 1800. In his written statement, the pilot said he was approaching a landing area, located just east of a restaurant, from the south. The pilot said that during the approach he could not see the lighted flag on top of the restaurant, thus he could not determine the wind direction or velocity for landing. He said he executed a go around and began maneuvering so that he could approach the landing area from the east. The pilot said that at the "northern most point of the go around, a tail rotor strike was felt." The pilot immediately put the helicopter down on a road. An examination of the wreckage showed the left skid broken upward. The right skid was bent upward and the bottom fuselage, aft of the pilot seat, was crushed upward. Both tail rotor blades were bent near mid span. Both main rotor blades were bent and twisted. Control continuity was confirmed. An examination of the helicopter's systems revealed no anomalies.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:30 MST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftEnstrom F-28C
Tail NumberN552CS
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDavid Copp
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360-EIAD · Reciprocating · 205
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 55 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind170° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 13000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 18 C
Altimeter30.10 inHg
Observation Time01:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data