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

December 12, 2006 · Bell 407 · N302LE

Raytown, MO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
December 12, 2006
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Raytown, MO
Aircraft
Bell 407
Tail Number
N302LE
Operator
Cj Systems Aviation Group
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
CHI07IA042

The air ambulance helicopter executed an emergency landing on an elementary school parking lot following a loss of engine power. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the incident. The pilot stated that he heard a bang and got a low frequency vibration during cruise flight. The helicopter received minor damage due to internal engine components exiting the engine collector and exhaust stack. Examination of the third stage turbine wheel noted high cycle fatigue features on the fracture surface of one of the blades. The fatigue initiated at the trailing edge of the airfoil and propagated 0.515 inch before a fast fracture separation. Although a small area of porosity was observed in the microstructure adjacent to the fracture, it did not intersect the fracture surface, and no evidence of porosity was observed on the fracture surface. Chemistry and hardness were as specified. Given the high cycle features, good material properties, and lack of a stress-concentrating defect at the origin, the fatigue could be secondary to some other event that produced unusual loading or vibrations in the blade.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power during cruise flight due to third stage turbine wheel blade fatigue and subsequent separation, which resulted in an emergency landing.

Full Narrative

On December 11, 2006, at 2217 central standard time, a Bell 407, N302LE, operated by CJ Systems Aviation Group (dba Life Flight Eagle), as an air ambulance helicopter, executed an emergency landing on an elementary school parking lot near Raytown, Missouri. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the incident. The pilot stated that he heard a bang and got a low frequency vibration during cruise flight. The helicopter received minor damage due to internal engine components exiting the engine collector and exhaust stack. The air ambulance flight was operating under Title 14 CFR Part 135. The pilot, two paramedics, and patient were uninjured. The flight last departed from Golden Valley Hospital, Clinton, Missouri, at 2154, for a patient transfer to St. Lukes Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri. The National Transportation Safety Board Materials Lab review of the Rolls Royce Metallurgical Investigation Report focused on damage to the third stage turbine wheel where high cycle fatigue features were observed on the fracture surface of one of the blades. The fatigue initiated at the trailing edge of the airfoil and propagated 0.515 inch before a fast fracture separation. Although a small area of porosity was observed in the microstructure adjacent to the fracture, it did not intersect the fracture surface, and no evidence of porosity was observed on the fracture surface. Chemistry and hardness were as specified. Parties to the investigation were Bell Helicopter, CJ Systems Aviation Group, FAA, Life Flight Eagle, Standard Aero, and Rolls Royce.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time22:17 CST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 407
Tail NumberN302LE
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageMinor
OperatorCj Systems Aviation Group
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsRolls-Royce Turbomeca · 250-C47B · Turboshaft · 630
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 52 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
Wind180° @ 13 kt, gusting 20 kt
Visibility9 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 48
Altimeter29.90 inHg
Observation Time21:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data