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

May 26, 2005 · Hughes TH-55 · N681BC

Cornelia, GA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 26, 2005
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Cornelia, GA
Aircraft
Hughes TH-55
Tail Number
N681BC
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL05CA089

According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to film the construction of a local building. The helicopter was brought to a hover between 15-20 feet off of the ground in the parking lot of the building. The helicopter was air taxied to a grass field approximately 100 feet away. As the pilot began his takeoff run he approached a row of trees that were approximately 50 feet tall and was unable to gain altitude. He initiated a quick stop maneuver, and the tail rotor became entangled in high vegetation. The helicopter began to spin to the right, and collided with the ground and rolled over onto the left side. Examination of the helicopter revealed that the tail boom separated from the fuselage, all main rotor blades were bent and damaged. The left skid was broken and loose. Review of the FAA rotorcraft flying handbook states: Rapid Deceleration (Quick Stop) should be conducted at an altitude high enough to avoid danger to the tail rotor during flare, but low enough to stay out of the crosshatched or shaded areas of the height/velocity diagram throughout the maneuver. Review of the FAA rotorcraft flying handbook states: Rapid Deceleration (Quick Stop) should be conducted at an altitude high enough to avoid danger to the tail rotor during flare.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate object clearance, which resulted in the in-flight collision with terrain, and the subsequent rollover.

Full Narrative

On May 26, 2005, at 1644 eastern daylight time, a Hughes TH-55, N681BC, registered and operated by private owner, collided with the ground during a quick stop maneuver Cornelia, Georgia. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The helicopter sustained substantial damage, and the private pilot, and passenger was not injured. The flight originated from a field in Cornelia, Georgia on May 26, 2005, at 1630. According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to videotape the construction of a local building. After the pilot loaded and secured the passenger in the helicopter, the pilot elected to position the helicopter to a grassy area for takeoff. The helicopter was brought to a hover between 15-20 feet off of the ground in the parking lot of the building. The helicopter was air taxied to a grassed field approximately 400 feet away. As the pilot began his takeoff run he approached a row of trees that were approximately 50 feet tall. When the pilot realized that the helicopter was not high enough to clear the tree line, he executed a quick stop maneuver. As the pilot maneuvered the helicopter, the tail rotor became entangled in high vegetation. The helicopter began to spin to the right, and collided with ground, and rolled over onto the left side. Examination of the helicopter revealed, that the tail boom separated from the fuselage, all main rotor blades were bent and damaged. The left skid was broken and loose. Review of weather data revealed light winds from the west and a temperature of 79 degrees Fahrenheit with a density altitude of 3274 feet. Review of the FAA rotorcraft flying handbook states: Rapid Deceleration (Quick Stop) should be conducted at an altitude high enough to avoid danger to the tail rotor during flare, but low enough to stay out of the crosshatched or shaded areas of the height/ velocity diagram throughout the maneuver.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:44 EDT
Nearest AirportHabersham County (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHughes TH-55
Tail NumberN681BC
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · 180 · Reciprocating · 110
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 59 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250°
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point48
Altimeter29.93 inHg
Observation Time20:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data