Overall Trends
Total, fatal, and serious accidents in the selected range.
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
Search everything
Fast key and full-text search with live filters, watches, and precise metadata.
Use quotes for exact phrase matches (for example "fuel selector valve").
Featured 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…
High-signal investigations
Major cases, deep-report coverage, and investigation media across decades of NTSB history.
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 manufacturersAirports
More airportsOperators
More operatorsAbout
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
June 5, 2009 · Bell 47G 2 · N8420E
San Marcos, TX
Overview
Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 5, 2009
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
San Marcos, TX
Aircraft
Bell 47G 2
Tail Number
N8420E
Operator
Continental Helicopter Services
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN09CA339
The commercial pilot said that he was landing the agricultural helicopter at the edge of a large field to pick up communications radios from his ground crew. During his landing approach under power lines, he saw a vehicle approaching that he had not seen before. The pilot said that he then raised the helicopter to allow the vehicle to pass underneath. The tail rotor blades then struck a wire at about 20 feet above the ground and the helicopter began to spin. The pilot said that he lost control and the helicopter struck the surface of the field and rolled on its side. There was no postcrash fire, but the helicopter was substantially damaged. The pilot was seriously injured.
NTSB Probable Cause
Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Wire-Effect on operation
Full Narrative
The commercial pilot said he was landing the agricultural helicopter at the edge of a large open bean field to pick up communications radios from his ground crew. During his landing approach under power lines he said he saw a vehicle approaching that he had not seen before. The pilot said he then raised the helicopter to allow the vehicle to pass underneath. The tail rotor blades then struck a wire at about 20 feet above the ground and the helicopter began to spin. The pilot said he lost control and the helicopter struck the surface of the bean field and rolled on its side. There was no post crash fire, but the helicopter was substantially damaged. The pilot was seriously injured and was airlifted by HEMS helicopter to a nearby hospital.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:15 CDT
Nearest AirportSan Marcos Municipal Airport (2nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 47G 2
Tail NumberN8420E
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorContinental Helicopter Services
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO435 · Reciprocating · 280
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 65 · Second Class · Serious
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54
Altimeter30.02 inHg
Observation Time18:15
Weather SourceWFAC