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
August 11, 2015 · Bell 47D1 1 · N74823
Clanton, AL
Overview
Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 11, 2015
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Clanton, AL
Aircraft
Bell 47D1 1 (1953)
Tail Number
N74823
Operator
Gilliland Kenneth L
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
GAA15CA221
The flight instructor reported that while conducting an approach to landing, terminating at a three foot hover, the student pilot "pulled back on the cyclic and dumped collective", which caused the main rotor blades to contact the tail boom after the helicopter impacted the ground "hard". The flight instructor reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail boom and to the empennage.
NTSB Probable Cause
The student pilot's abrupt cyclic and collective inputs during the approach to land which resulted in abnormal runway contact and a subsequent tail boom strike by the main rotor blades.
Full Narrative
The flight instructor reported that while conducting an approach to landing, terminating at a three foot hover, the student pilot "pulled back on the cyclic and dumped collective", which caused the main rotor blades to contact the tail boom after the helicopter impacted the ground "hard". The flight instructor reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail boom and to the empennage.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 CDT
Nearest AirportChilton County (0nm ENE)
Runway26
Runway Length4008 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 47D1 1
Tail NumberN74823
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorGilliland Kenneth L
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsFranklin · 6V4-200-C32 · Reciprocating · 200
Seats3
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 68 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 63 · Second Class · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.95 inHg
Observation Time19:53
Weather SourceWFAC