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

July 16, 2005 · Robinson R-22B · N2614D

Gulfport, MS

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 16, 2005
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Gulfport, MS
Aircraft
Robinson R-22B
Tail Number
N2614D
Operator
Vortex Helicopters
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA05LA135

The instructor said that the student was flying the helicopter, and they were in a left-handed traffic pattern, on the downwind leg, at an altitude of about 550 feet, with the intent to practice maximum performance takeoffs and straight-in autorotative landings. He stated that he reminded the student to activate the carburetor heat, as the student reached forward he heard the engine cease operating, he said he never "observed" the student pull the carburetor heat. The engine rpm immediately "dropped all the way down", and he heard the engine correspondingly cease to operate. The instructor said he immediately took control of the helicopter from the student, entered the autorotation, and affected a landing to a golf course. During the landing, the helicopter incurred damage. Under the supervision of an FAA inspector the helicopter was examined, and the engine was given a test-run, and no preaccident anomalies were noted to exist with the airframe flight controls or the engine.

NTSB Probable Cause

A loss engine power for undetermined reasons, that resulted in a forced landing, and damage to the helicopter during the landing.

Full Narrative

On July 16, 2005, about 1019 central daylight time, a Robinson R-22B, N2614D, registered to and operated by Vortex Helicopters Incorporated, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, crashed in Gulfport, Mississippi. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The commercial-rated instructor and private-rated student were not injured, and the helicopter incurred substantial damage. The flight originated the same day, about 1000. The instructor said that he and the student had been operating the helicopter in the traffic pattern at Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport when the accident occurred. According to the instructor, the student was flying the helicopter, and they were in a left-handed traffic pattern, on the downwind leg at an altitude of about 550 feet, with the intent to practice maximum performance takeoffs and straight-in autorotative landings. The instructor stated that he reminded the student to activate the carburetor heat, as the student reached forward he heard the engine quit running, the instructor never "observed" the student pull the carburetor heat. The engine rpm immediately "dropped all the way down" and he heard the engine correspondingly cease to operate. The instructor said he immediately took control of the helicopter from the student, entered the autorotation, and affected a landing to a golf course. During the landing, the helicopter incurred damage, which included damage to the main rotor, tailboom, skids and skid supports. The student pilot stated that he was practicing maximum performance take-off and autorotative landings with his flight instructor. When they were on the downwind leg, the instructor reminded him to make sure the carburetor heat was on, as he reached down to pull the carburetor heat, the engine stalled. The student didn't recall pulling the carburetor heat control or if his hand was on the carburetor heat knob. He said the instructor took control of the helicopter and preformed an autorotation, flared "hard" to avoid trees on the golf course. Upon impact with the ground, the student observed pieces of the tail rotor fly by as they spun sideways. The instructor pulled the rotor break to stop the rotor blades from turning. They excited the helicopter and waited for the police to arrive. An onscene examination was conducted under the supervision of an FAA inspector, and the examination revealed that the fuel shut off lever was in the on position, the carburetor heat control was set to "Off", the mixture control was set to "Full Rich" and the guard was in place, the main and auxiliary fuel tank positions displayed the presence of fuel, and the engine Hobbs meter displayed 6019.0 hours. In addition, a follow-on examination, as well as a test-run was performed on the engine, and it operated normally with no anomalies being noted.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:19 CDT
Nearest AirportGulfport Biloxi International (1nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobinson R-22B
Tail NumberN2614D
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorVortex Helicopters
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · 320 B2C · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 32 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 33 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2000 ft
Altimeter30.09 inHg
Observation Time14:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data