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 10, 2013 · Bell 206B · N94PH

Hartford, KY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 10, 2013
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Hartford, KY
Aircraft
Bell 206B
Tail Number
N94PH
Operator
Provine Helicopter Service
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA13LA236

Before spraying a tract, the pilot circled it three times to look for lines, obstructions, houses, and people and to develop a plan to spray the field. He completed two spray passes, and during the third spray pass, he heard a “pop” sound and saw “the lines” as they contacted the windscreen. The helicopter was controllable for a “brief moment,” but it then yawed slowly to the right and slightly down at which point all control was lost. The helicopter continued to rotate clockwise and veered to the right, then impacted the ground on the left side. The pilot reported that there was no preimpact mechanical failure or malfunction with the helicopter or its systems, and that during his three orbits of the tract, he did not identify the power line that he subsequently contacted. While the company policy and procedures manual specified that the pilot identify potential problem areas or miscommunications, it did not specify that flight hazards be identified during the pre-work conference. Postaccident, the operator changed its policy and procedures manual and specifically stated that flight hazards be identified during the pre-work conference before spraying a tract.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s failure to avoid a powerline that crossed a field that he was spraying. Contributing to the collision was the company’s failure to specifically mention that flight hazards be identified during a pre-work conference.

Full Narrative

On May 10, 2013, about 1842 central daylight time, a Bell 206B, N94PH, registered to and operated by Provine Helicopter Service, Inc., collided with a powerline then the ground during an aerial application flight near Hartford, Kentucky. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 137 flight. The helicopter sustained substantial damage and the commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated about 5 minutes earlier from a location immediately adjacent to the accident site. The pilot stated that he took the final load of chemical to complete the current tract, or field. He circled over it 3 times looking for lines, obstructions, houses and people and to develop a plan to spray the field. He completed 2 spray passes and during the 3rd spray pass, he heard a “pop” sound and saw “…the lines” as they contacted the windscreen. The helicopter was controllable for a, “brief moment” but it then yawed slowly to the right and slightly down at which point all control was lost. The helicopter continued to rotate clockwise and veered to the right, then impacted the ground on the left side. He reported there was no preimpact mechanical failure or malfunction with the helicopter or its systems. The company Policy and Procedures Manual in effect at the time of the accident specifies major duties and responsibilities of the pilot, which included information that a pre-work conference be conducted before application to each tract being sprayed. The pre-work conference specifies that the tract representative, “turn key”, ground crew, and pilot agree on and understand the weather conditions, locations of the tract and boundaries, products being applied and their rates, landing zones, adjacent landowners, and potential problem area or miscommunication. However, nowhere in the duties and responsibilities is it spelled out specifically that potential flight hazards be identified during the pre-work conference. Postaccident, the operator changed the Policy and Procedures Manual to specify that all involved personnel involved identify flight hazards during the pre-work conference.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:42 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 206B
Tail NumberN94PH
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorProvine Helicopter Service
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsRolls-Royce · 250-C20 · Turboshaft · 317
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 24 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind190° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter29.85 inHg
Observation Time23:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data