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 8, 2011 · Robinson Helicopter R44 II · N921JM

Golden, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 8, 2011
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Golden, CO
Aircraft
Robinson Helicopter R44 II
Tail Number
N921JM
Operator
Colorado Helicopter
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN11CA325

The helicopter was following participants in a downhill skateboard race in mountainous terrain. The pilot had just performed a left-pedal turn and the helicopter was facing upslope to the mountain. The low rotor warning sounded and the pilot lowered the collective and increased throttle. The pilot stated that the engine did not respond so he continued to lower the collective and looked for a place to land. During the forced landing on the downsloping terrain the helicopter came to rest on its nose, resulting in substantial damage to the main rotor, skid tubes, and tail boom. Postaccident examination of the helicopter, engine, and systems, revealed no anomalies. The density altitude was calculated to be 10,600 feet. The pilot calculated the in-ground-effect hover to be 8,500 feet pressure altitude, the out-of-ground-effect hover to be 5,000 feet pressure altitude, and estimated the gross weight to be 2,320 pounds.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s decision to operate the helicopter at a high density altitude near terrain, which resulted in a settling with power condition.

Full Narrative

The helicopter was following participants in a downhill skateboard race in mountainous terrain. The pilot had just performed a left pedal turn and the helicopter was facing upslope to the mountain. The low rotor warning sounded and the pilot lowered collective and increased throttle. The pilot stated that the engine did not respond so he continued to lower the collective and looked for a place to land. During the forced landing on the down sloping terrain, the helicopter came to rest on its nose resulting in substantial damage to the main rotor, skid tubes, and tail boom. An examination of the helicopter, engine, and systems, conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration, revealed no anomalies. The density altitude was calculated to be 10,600 feet. The pilot calculated the in ground effect hover to be 8,500 feet pressure altitude, the out of ground effect hover to be 5,000 feet pressure altitude, and estimated the gross weight to be 2,320 pounds.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobinson Helicopter R44 II
Tail NumberN921JM
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorColorado Helicopter
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540 SER · Reciprocating · 300
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 33 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 32 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 8 kt
Visibility60 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter29.61 inHg
Observation Time20:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data