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

July 18, 2022 · Bell 206B · N6BU

Verona, IL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 18, 2022
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Verona, IL
Aircraft
Bell 206B (1988)
Tail Number
N6BU
Operator
Top Gun Precision Ag
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN22LA323

Before departure, the helicopter was loaded with about 30 gallons of fuel and 80 gallons of spray product. After takeoff from a load truck, the pilot received a low rotor alarm and the helicopter began to sink. He performed an autorotation and the helicopter bounced upon landing. The tailboom was severed by the main rotor blades which resulted in substantial damage. During a postaccident examination and engine test run, no anomalies were noted that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the loss of rotor rpm could not be determined based on the available evidence.

NTSB Probable Cause

Not determined-Not determined-(general)-(general)-Unknown/Not determined

Full Narrative

On July 18, 2022, about 1849 central daylight time, a Bell 206B3 helicopter, N6BU, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Verona, Illinois. The pilot was uninjured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The pilot reported that this was not the first flight of the day and, before departure, he had about 30 gallons of fuel and 80 gallons of spray product. After takeoff from a load truck, he received a low rotor alarm and the helicopter began to sink. He performed an autorotation and the helicopter bounced upon landing. The tailboom was severed by the main rotor blades which resulted in substantial damage. During a postaccident examination, the engine N1 system turned freely and was continuous from the compressor to the starter generator. The engine N2 system turned and was connected to the powertrain. No foreign object damage was noted on the first stage compressor blades or compressor inlet, and the inlet particle separator system was intact and was not blocked. The fourth stage turbine wheel was normal in appearance when viewed from the exhaust collector. Linkages from the collective to the Power Turbine Governor (PTG) and from the throttle twist grip to the Fuel Control Unit (FCU) were secure. The FCU throttle input lever was rigged appropriately and contacted the minimum and maximum stops when the throttle was rotated to the cut off and fly positions respectively. The PTG rotated through about 20° (from 60 to 80 on the indicator) when the collective was moved from full down to full up. Helicopter electrical power was switched on, and no engine chip lights were noted. The fuel quantity gage indicated 30 gallons. The fuel boost pumps were individually tested, and fuel flowed freely from both. The engine was removed from the airframe and subsequently placed on a test stand. The engine started, idled, and accelerated as designed during the testing with no flame outs or uncommanded power fluctuations noted. No anomalies were observed during the exam or testing that would have precluded normal operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:49 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 206B
Tail NumberN6BU
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorTop Gun Precision Ag
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20 · Turboshaft
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 35 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter29.88 inHg
Observation Time18:35
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data