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

June 7, 2003 · Helio H800 · N4035K

Cody, WY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 7, 2003
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 2 uninjured
Location
Cody, WY
Aircraft
Helio H800
Tail Number
N4035K
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN03LA098

The pilot reported, "A few seconds after becoming airborne, oil began splashing onto the windscreen and boiling out of the cowling around the oil cap access door." The pilot decided to land immediately. The pilot said he maintained runway heading to gain some altitude, approximately 300 to 400 feet above ground level (agl). He said he flew beyond the departure end of the runway and then made a 180-degree turn back to the airport. The pilot said he lowered flaps and began his descent. At approximately 150 feet agl, the pilot said he encountered "a severe downdraft, which caused the airplane to sink at a rapid rate. Although I immediately added full power, I was unable to overcome the downdraft." The airplane impacted terrain off the departure end of the runway causing substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, undercarriage, and vertical stabilizer. An examination of the airplane showed the oil cap off and the dip stick out. The examination also showed oil streaks around the oil filler door, across the top of the engine cowling, and on the inside of the engine cowling. The weather conditions approximately 5 minutes after the accident were clear skies, 10 miles visibility, and winds at 130 degrees magnetic at 5 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's improper preflight planning and his failure to maintain aircraft control when returning to the airport. Factors contributing to the accident were the oil leak, the attempted precautionary landing, and the downdraft.

Full Narrative

On June 7, 2003, at 1530 mountain daylight time, a Helio Aircraft Limited, H800 airplane, N4035K, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain 200 feet from the approach end of runway 22 at the Yellowstone Regional Airport (COD) Cody, Wyoming. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91. No flight plan was on file. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The 2 passengers on board the airplane reported no injuries. The cross-country flight was originating at the time of the accident. In his written statement, the pilot reported, "A few seconds after becoming airborne, oil began splashing onto the windscreen and boiling out of the cowling around the oil cap access door." The pilot decided to land immediately. The pilot said he maintained runway heading to gain some altitude, approximately 300 to 400 feet above ground level (agl). He said he flew beyond the departure end of the runway and then made a 180-degree turn back to the airport. The pilot said he lowered flaps and began his descent. At approximately 150 feet agl, the pilot said he encountered "a severe downdraft, which caused the airplane to sink at a rapid rate. Although I immediately added full power, I was unable to overcome the downdraft." The airport operations manager at COD reported the airplane took off on runway 04 (8,276 feet by 100 feet, dry asphalt). The operations manager said the airplane climbed to an altitude of approximately 300 feet above the ground, when the airplane turned around and crashed. The operations manager said the airplane impacted approximately 200 to 250 feet from the end of the runway, just inside the airport safety zone. The airplane came to rest on its top. An examination of the airplane showed the airplane's cowling was broken off and crushed upward. The engine was broken off at the mounts and canted approximately 30 degrees to the right. The airplane's right wing was broken aft at the wing root. The left wing tip was crushed upward. The main landing gear were broken aft and the underside of the fuselage was crushed upward. The top of the vertical stabilizer and rudder were crushed and bent downward. The propeller blades showed torsional bending and chordwise scratches. Flight control continuity was confirmed. An examination of the engine showed the oil cap off and the dip stick out. Streaks of oil were observed around the oil filler door, across the top of the engine cowling, and on the inside of the engine cowling. The weather conditions approximately 5 minutes after the accident were clear skies, 10 miles visibility, and winds at 130 degrees magnetic at 5 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:30 MDT
Nearest AirportYellowstone Regional Airport (0nm NE)
Runway04
Runway Length8276 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHelio H800
Tail NumberN4035K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-720-A1B · Reciprocating · 400
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 2 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured2
Total3
Crew 1Age 51 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind130° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 36 C
Altimeter30.07 inHg
Observation Time21:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data