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 14, 2003 · Bell 47G-3B-1 · N90463

Schaumburg, IL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 14, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Schaumburg, IL
Aircraft
Bell 47G-3B-1
Tail Number
N90463
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI04LA013

A helicopter experienced a hard landing while practicing an autorotation. A certified flight instructor (CFI) and a commercial rated pilot who was receiving flight instruction were on board. The CFI stated that the commercial pilot entered the maneuver, executed the 180 degree turn and continued the descent until reaching 50 to 60 feet above the ground, where the commercial pilot initiated the flare. The CFI reported that immediately after the flare, the helicopter began to yaw to the left. The CFI stated that he instructed the commercial pilot to correct the yaw and align the helicopter straight with the ground. The CFI reported that he "came on the cyclic" to assure a straight track was achieved. A hard landing was encountered, resulting in the main rotor blades striking the tail rotor drive shaft and tailboom.

NTSB Probable Cause

The commercial pilot not maintaining directional control of the helicopter and the improper flare initiated before landing.

Full Narrative

On October 14, 2003, at 1000 central daylight time, a Bell 47G-3B-1, N90463, experienced a hard landing while practicing an autorotation at the Schaumburg Regional Airport (06C), Schaumburg, Illinois. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and the commercial rated pilot who was receiving flight instruction were not injured. The helicopter was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 local instructional flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. The flight originated at 06C. The commercial rated pilot reported that he was in training preparation for his CFI check ride, and was practicing 90 degree and 180 degree full touchdown autorotations with the CFI. Four autorotations went without incident. The commercial pilot decided to complete one more autorotation before a full-stop. The commercial pilot stated that he was flying a right traffic pattern and landing in a grass area on the northeast corner of the airport parallel to runway 29. The commercial pilot reported that he entered the autorotation at 700 feet agl at 60 knots. He made a right 180 degree turn and lined up with his touchdown point. He stated that he checked his rotor RPM, airspeed, and heading. The commercial pilot reported that he flared approximately 50 feet above ground level (agl), and leveled the helicopter at 10 feet agl. During the final 3 feet, the helicopter yawed to the left, a correction was made, and the helicopter landed. The CFI stated that the commercial pilot entered the maneuver, executed the 180 degree turn and continued the decent until reaching 50 to 60 agl, where the commercial pilot initiated the flare. The CFI reported that immediately after the flare, the helicopter began to yaw to the left. The CFI stated that he instructed the commercial pilot to correct the yaw and align the helicopter straight with the ground. The CFI reported that he "came on the cyclic" to assure a straight track was achieved. A hard landing was encountered, resulting in the main rotor blades striking the tail rotor drive shaft and tailboom.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 CDT
Nearest AirportSchaumburg Regional Airport (0nm N)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 47G-3B-1
Tail NumberN90463
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO-435 · Reciprocating · 260
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 43 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 53 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind340° @ 12 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingOvercast 800 ft
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 50
Altimeter29.57 inHg
Observation Time14:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data