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 1, 2009 · Bell 230 · N880SF

Peoria, IL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
July 1, 2009
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Peoria, IL
Aircraft
Bell 230
Tail Number
N880SF
Operator
Osf Aviation
Injuries
None
NTSB Number
CEN09IA618

The helicopter pilot observed a caution light for the number one hydraulic system and a corresponding complete loss of hydraulic system pressure for that system. The pilot declared an emergency and performed a run-on landing. A postincident examination of the system's hydraulic pump revealed that two of its cover attachment bolts had separated. The bolt heads fractured in tension from their shanks via intergranular cracks which initiated at the filet radius between the bead and the shank. The bolt fractures exhibited intergranular fracture features over 90 percent of the surface. The operator’s incident report safety recommendation stated that the pump's cover bolts should be replaced at overhaul; however, it is not required. The helicopter had accumulated 269 hours since overhaul.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of the number one hydraulic system fluid and hydraulic pressure during cruise due to the failure of the bolts that secure the hydraulic pump's cover.

Full Narrative

On July 1, 2009, at 1815 central daylight time, a Bell 230 helicopter, N880SF, sustained no damage during a forced landing at the General Downing - Peoria International Airport (PIA), near Peoria, Illinois, after it lost fluid in its number one hydraulic system during cruise flight. The commercial helicopter pilot, two emergency medical services (EMS) crewmembers, and the patient were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The local non-scheduled domestic 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 EMS transport flight departed PIA at time unknown. According to the operator’s incident report, the pilot observed a caution light for the number one hydraulic system and a corresponding complete loss of hydraulic system pressure for that system. The pilot declared an emergency and performed a run-on landing. Examination of the system's hydraulic pump revealed that two of its cover attachment bolts had separated. The separated bolt heads were retained by safety wire. This hydraulic pump manufacturer’s part number was 65132-1. The Bell Helicopter part number is 222-380-009-105, which is also usable on the Bell 222 series and 430 model helicopters. The bolts that sustained the separation were part number MS24678-17. According to the helicopter manufacturer, these hydraulic pumps do not have a scheduled overhaul cycle and the pumps are replaced on-condition. The manufacturer does not track the service times of these pumps. Reportedly, this was the first failure of the hydraulic pump cover attachment bolts. The pump manufacturer had the failed bolts examined. The bolt heads fractured in tension from their shanks via intergranular cracks initiating at the filet radius between the bead and the shank. The bolt fractures exhibited intergranular fracture features over 90 percent of the surface. According to the operator, the incident pump accumulated 269 hours of time prior to the bolt failures. The operator’s incident report safety recommendation indicated, “Recommend pump cover bolts be replaced at overhaul.”

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time18:15 CDT
Nearest AirportGeneral Downing - Peoria Iap (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledUnknown
Flight Plan ActivatedUnknown
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 230
Tail NumberN880SF
Aircraft CategoryHeli
OperatorOsf Aviation
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsRolls Royce · C30 G/2 · Turboshaft | Rolls Royce · C30 G/2 · Turboshaft
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 46 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data