Overall Trends
Total, fatal, and serious accidents in the selected range.
Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.
Fast key and full-text search with live filters, watches, and precise metadata.
Use quotes for exact phrase matches (for example "fuel selector valve").
Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.
Major cases, deep-report coverage, and investigation media across decades of NTSB history.
Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.
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.
Byron, IL
The helicopter was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain shortly after takeoff. The helicopter was conducting an aerial application flight and had just been loaded with chemical. The helicopter took off, but was not able to climb. It descended into the ground, and rolled onto it's side. Subsequent to the accident, the main rotor blades were found to be contaminated with insect remains. No other anomalies were found.
The pilot not attaining translational lift during the takeoff. A factor was the high gross weight.
On August 6, 2003, at 1815 central daylight time, a Texas Helicopter OH-13E, N38096, operated by Hendrickson Flying Service, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain while on takeoff from a field near Byron, Illinois. The helicopter descended into the ground just after takeoff and rolled over. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The commercial pilot reported minor injuries. The 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight was not operating on a flight plan. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported that the helicopter was conducting agricultural spraying before the accident occurred. After the helicopter landed and was reloaded with pesticides, the helicopter took off, but was not able to climb. It descended into the ground and rolled over onto it's side. The inspector reported that the main rotor blades were contaminated with insect remains. No other anomalies were found that could be determined to have existed prior to the accident. FAA-H-8083-21 - ROTORCRAFT FLYING HANDBOOK states, "Translational lift is present with any horizontal flow of air across the rotor. This increased flow is most noticeable when the airspeed reaches approximately 16 to 24 knots. As the helicopter accelerates through this speed, the rotor moves out of its vortices and is in relatively undisturbed air. The airflow is also now more horizontal, which reduces induced flow and drag with a corresponding increase in angle of attack and lift. The additional lift available at this speed is referred to as 'effective translational lift.'" The pilot has not submitted a report of the accident.