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 7, 2010 · Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA · N393LE

Mendon, UT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 7, 2010
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Mendon, UT
Aircraft
Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA
Tail Number
N393LE
Operator
Mountain Ridge Helicopters
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR10LA232

The certified flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot departed on a local area training flight and found a suitable area to perform practice autorotations. During the first autorotation, the engine experienced a loss of power. The CFI assumed control of the helicopter and the student attempted to restart the engine. During the touchdown, the right skid caught on the terrain, and the helicopter rolled to the right. The CFI indicated that it appeared the grass-covered terrain was flat and would make a good emergency landing spot; however, upon touchdown he realized that the terrain was rough. A post accident examination and test run of the engine by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector did not reveal any operational anomalies with the helicopter. Disassembly of the magnetos revealed evidence of internal arcing. The magneto manufacturer and engine manufacturer had issued service bulletins related to the inspection of the magnetos every 100 hours and 500 hours. The 500-hour inspection required that the magnetos be removed from the engine, disassembled, inspected, and serviced. According to the FAA inspector, review of the maintenance records for the helicopter showed that neither service bulletin had been complied with.

NTSB Probable Cause

Personnel issues-Task performance-Maintenance-Scheduled/routine maintenance-Maintenance personnel - C

Full Narrative

On May 7, 2010, at 1732 mountain daylight time, a Robinson R22 Beta, N393LE, collided with terrain following a loss of engine power near Mendon, Utah. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and student were not injured; the helicopter sustained substantial damage. Mountain Ridge Helicopters was operating the helicopter under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The CFI reported that he and the student were practicing autorotations. They entered into the first autorotation, rolled the throttle to idle, and the engine lost power. The CFI force-landed the helicopter in a field, and it rolled onto its right side. The CFI indicated that it appeared the grass-covered terrain was flat and would make a good emergency landing spot; however, upon touchdown he realized that the terrain was rough. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the helicopter. The engine was test run, and no anomalies were identified. During the examination and testing, the magneto internal timing and the magneto timing to engine was not verified prior to the removal and disassembly of the magnetos. Disassembly of the magnetos showed evidence of internal arcing. The last annual/100-hour inspection was on April 22, 2010, at a total time of 999.8 hours. The engine was equipped with TCM S4LSC-200 (left) and S4LSC-204T (right) magnetos. According to TCM Service Bulletin No. 515, Maintenance Intervals for all TCM and Bendix Aircraft Magnetos and Related Equipment (as well as Textron Lycoming Service Bulletin No. 515, All Textron Lycoming aircraft engines employing TCM and Bendix S-20, S-200, S-1200, D-2000, and D-3000 series magnetos and components), magnetos must be inspected at each 100-hour and 500-hour interval. The 500-hour inspection requires that the magneto be removed from the engine, disassembled, inspected, and serviced in accordance with the TCM Service Support Manual. According to the FAA inspector, review of the maintenance documentation for the helicopter showed that neither TCM SB 515 nor Textron Lycoming SB 515 was complied with.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:32 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobinson Helicopter R22 BETA
Tail NumberN393LE
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMountain Ridge Helicopters
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-J2A · Reciprocating · 145
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 24 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 30 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 9 C
Altimeter30.18 inHg
Observation Time23:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data