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

August 17, 2015 · Bell 412 Undesignat · N412LA

Whittier, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 17, 2015
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 2 uninjured
Location
Whittier, CA
Aircraft
Bell 412 Undesignat (1981)
Tail Number
N412LA
Operator
County of Los Angeles Fire Department
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
GAA15CA230

According to the pilot of the public use, multi-engine helicopter, he performed an autorotation and landing after exhausting the helicopter's fuel supply in flight. The pilot reported that while acting as the Helicopter Commander during a brush fire containment mission, the complexities involved with managing the fire increased and as a result, the pilot stated, "I failed to re-adjust my station time appropriately for my aircraft." He reported that both engines lost power and he executed an autorotation and touchdown onto down sloping terrain. Upon impact with the ground, the main rotor blades flexed down and severed the tail boom. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail boom, the main rotor and tail rotor blades, the main rotor drive system and the primary flight controls. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or anomalies prior to flight that would have prevented normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to appropriately monitor the helicopter's fuel supply, resulting in fuel exhaustion, loss of engine power, and an autorotation with a hard landing.

Full Narrative

According to the pilot of the public use, multi-engine helicopter, he performed an autorotation and landing after exhausting the helicopter's fuel supply in flight. The pilot reported that while acting as the Helicopter Commander during a brush fire containment mission, the complexities involved with managing the fire increased and as a result, the pilot stated, "I failed to re-adjust my station time appropriately for my aircraft." He reported that both engines lost power and he executed an autorotation and touchdown onto down sloping terrain. Upon impact with the ground, the main rotor blades flexed down and severed the tail boom. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail boom, the main rotor and tail rotor blades, the main rotor drive system and the primary flight controls. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or anomalies prior to flight that would have prevented normal operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:11 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 412 Undesignat
Tail NumberN412LA
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCounty of Los Angeles Fire Department
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsP&W Canada · PT6T-3BE · Turboshaft · 800 | P&W Canada · PT6T-3BE · Turboshaft · 800
Seats8

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 2 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured2
Total3
Crew 1Age 52 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Minor
Crew 3None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter29.87 inHg
Observation Time00:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data