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

December 13, 2017 · Robinson Helicopter R44 II · N441ML

Newark, OH

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 13, 2017
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Newark, OH
Aircraft
Robinson Helicopter R44 II (2004)
Tail Number
N441ML
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
GAA18CA089

The pilot reported that he was relocating the helicopter from the fueling station to an overnight parking area. He initially attempted to move the helicopter on wheels but was unsuccessful. He then started the helicopter, performed the startup checklist, and applied a "normal amount of collective," but the helicopter rolled to the right and impacted the ground. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and tailboom. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 16 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 160° at 5 knots. In a followup conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that the helicopter began rolling to the right immediately after lifting off and that he added power to increase the altitude and applied left cyclic to counteract the right rolling movement. He estimated that the accident sequence took only seconds. The Federal Aviation Administration's Helicopter Flying Handbook, FAA-H-8083-21A, contained a section titled, "Normal Takeoffs and Landings," which stated: Dynamic rollover is possible even during normal takeoffs and landings on relatively level ground, if one wheel or skid is on the ground and thrust (lift) is approximately equal to the weight of the helicopter. If the takeoff or landing is not performed properly, a roll rate could develop around the wheel or skid that is on the ground. When taking off or landing, perform the maneuver smoothly and carefully adjust the cyclic so that no pitch or roll movement rates build up, especially the roll rate. If the bank angle starts to increase to an angle of approximately 5-8°, and full corrective cyclic does not reduce the angle, the collective should be reduced to diminish the unstable rolling condition. Excessive bank angles can also be caused by landing gear caught in a tie down strap, or a tie down strap still attached to one side of the helicopter. Lateral loading imbalance (usually outside published limits) is another contributing factor.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Lateral/bank control-Not attained/maintained - C

Full Narrative

The helicopter pilot reported that he was relocating the helicopter from the fueling station to an overnight parking area. He initially attempted to move the helicopter on wheels, but that was unsuccessful. He started the helicopter, performed the startup checklist, and applied a "normal amount of collective" when the helicopter rolled to the right and impacted the ground. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and the tailboom. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 16 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 160° at 15 knots. In a follow up conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator in charge, the pilot reported that the helicopter began rolling to the right immediately after lifting off and he added power to increase his altitude, as well as applied left cyclic to counteract the right rolling movement. He estimated that the accident sequence took only seconds. Federal Aviation Administration's Helicopter Flying Handbook, FAA-H-8083-21A, contains a section titled "Normal Takeoffs and Landings" which states: Dynamic rollover is possible even during normal takeoffs and landings on relatively level ground, if one wheel or skid is on the ground and thrust (lift) is approximately equal to the weight of the helicopter. If the takeoff or landing is not performed properly, a roll rate could develop around the wheel or skid that is on the ground. When taking off or landing, perform the maneuver smoothly and carefully adjust the cyclic so that no pitch or roll movement rates build up, especially the roll rate. If the bank angle starts to increase to an angle of approximately 5–8°, and full corrective cyclic does not reduce the angle, the collective should be reduced to diminish the unstable rolling condition. Excessive bank angles can also be caused by landing gear caught in a tie down strap, or a tie down strap still attached to one side of the helicopter. Lateral loading imbalance (usually outside published limits) is another contributing factor.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:10 EST
Nearest AirportNewark-Heath (0nm SW)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobinson Helicopter R44 II
Tail NumberN441ML
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-AE1A5 · Reciprocating · 245
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 62 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 6000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point28 C / 10 C
Altimeter29.48 inHg
Observation Time22:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data