NTSB investigations
51 cases where the sequence of events included External load event (Rotorcraft).
Cases per year
| 2008 | 2 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 1 |
Where
Open the mapLatest cases
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "SELECT c.\"ntsbNumber\", c.\"eventDate\", c.\"eventType\", c.\"eventCity\", c.\"eventStateOrRegion\", a.n_number, a.\"aircraftMake\", a.\"aircraftModel\", c.\"highestInjuryLevel\", c.\"totalFatal\", c.\"completionStatus\", c.report_url FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c.\"mKey\" AND a.position = 1 WHERE c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT s.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s.\"tier2Number\" = '480' AND s.case_mkey IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' WHERE \"isDefiningEvent\")) ORDER BY c.\"eventDate\" DESC, c.\"ntsbNumber\" DESC"
Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.
SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1 WHERE c."mKey" IN (SELECT s.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s."tier2Number" = '480' AND s.case_mkey IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' WHERE "isDefiningEvent")) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
Run it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.
NTSB GAA25WA147Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · ForeignBell 206 · Copey - Cesar, ColombiaNTSB WPR25LA034Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Durkee, ORThe pilot's inadequate performance planning, which resulted in insufficient engine power to transition into an out-of-ground-effect hover at a high gross weight.NTSB ERA25LA040Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportHughes 369D · Waycross, GAAn encounter with a foreign object, which resulted in a loss of control and collision with terrain.NTSB CEN24LA358Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportHughes 369 · Canton, MIFatigue cracking of the main rotor blade that occurred at an undetermined time.NTSB WPR24LA247Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell 407 · Stanley, IDA sudden wind shift which resulted in a rapid descent and subsequent dynamic rollover and collision into water.NTSB WPR24LA036Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell OH-58A · Estacada, ORThe pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control during an external load operation, which resulted in the helicopter’s main rotor blades impacting the tail boom.NTSB ANC23LA085Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportEurocopter AS 350 B3 · Johnson River, AKThe ground crew’s failure to remain clear of a tag line during sling load operations, resulting in his entanglement.NTSB CEN23LA385Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron Canada 206 · Hibbing, MNThe ground crew’s failure to secure the backpack at the landing zone (LZ), that resulted in the tail rotor impacting the backpack during the landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate selection of an area at the LZ, the lack of awareness…NTSB ANC21LA079Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Pelican, AKThe pilot’s improper preflight planning to ensure adequate power to hover out-of-ground effect while conducting external load operations.NTSB WPR21LA268Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell 212HP · Weed, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain altitude during an approach to a lake. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to release the full water bucket as the helicopter was settling, which reduced the helicopter’s out-of-ground-effect performance.NTSB CEN21LA102Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportHughes 369D · Tuckers Crossing, MSThe pilot’s loss of helicopter control when the external saw contacted trees during an attempted emergency landing due to a main rotor transmission oil pressure warning. The reason that the pilot did not release the external saw from the helicopter during the…NTSB WPR20LA244Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAmerican Eurocopter AS350 · Pioche, NVThe pilot’s failure to maintain altitude from terrain and subsequent loss of helicopter control due to entanglement of the external load cable with the tail rotor.NTSB ANC20CA070Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportBell 206L-1 · Homer, AKThe pilot's failure to see and avoid the boat's mast, which resulted in a main rotor blade strike. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight planning by not having the boat's mast measured.NTSB ERA20LA160Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportHughes 369 · Pylesville, MDThe loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of unporting of the fuel tank supply pickup while the helicopter was maneuvered to move a conductor wire. Contributing to the accident was the helicopter’s inappropriate configuration for the type of…NTSB GAA19WA598Accident · Serious injuriesClass 5 · ForeignAerospatiale AS350 · Kitzbühel, AustriaNTSB CEN19FA020Accident · 1 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportHughes 369 · McDougal, ARThe pilot's failure to maintain the helicopter's clearance from the powerline structure while hovering in gusty wind conditions, which resulted in an inadvertent collision with the structure and an uncontrolled descent into terrain.NTSB GAA18CA573Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportHiller UH 12E · Frankfort, KSThe ground crewmember's improper grabbing of the hovering helicopter's skid during an external load hook-up, which resulted in the helicopter descending and the main rotors striking ground equipment.NTSB ERA18FA122Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMD Helicopter 600 · Smethport, PAThe helicopter pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance during power line construction work, which resulted in the helicopter's main rotor striking and becoming entangled with a wire and a subsequent dynamic rollover and collision with terrain.…NTSB ERA18LA091Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 369 · San Juan, PRThe helicopter pilot's improper decision to use an open-end grapple, instead of an A-frame attachment, to lift and move a ladder with a lineman on it and the lineman's improper decision to be lifted on a ladder via an open-end grapple, which were contrary to…NTSB CEN18LA026Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 369D · Sulphur, LAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate separation between a long line being used to hoist linemen from a shield wire during an external load flight, which resulted in the long line being severed.NTSB ERA17TA170Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportBell 206 · Orange Springs, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance between the helicopter's skid and the firefighting bucket and suspension cable, which resulted in the cable becoming entangled on the landing skid and a subsequent loss of helicopter control.NTSB CEN17FA127Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas Heli 369FF · Chalmers, INThe pilot's failure to ensure that the needle did not entangle with the tower's vertical lattice as he moved the helicopter rearward, which resulted in the helicopter becoming tethered to the tower and a subsequent loss of control.NTSB WPR16LA175Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 500N · Honolulu, HIThe pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in the helicopter rescue net’s contact with a utility pole and serious injury to an occupant who fell from the rescue net. Contributing to the accident was the…NTSB ERA16LA253Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBell 429 · Georgetown, DEThe emergency response team's failure to ensure that the system operator was secured to the helicopter, which resulted in his fall during the recurrent rescue hoist training operation.NTSB GAA16CA179Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 206 · Supai, AZThe pilot's decision to fly a normal approach and forgetting that the long line remained attached to the helicopter, which resulted in the line snagging on a ridgeline, a loss of lateral control, and a rollover.NTSB GAA15CA258Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportAirbus AS350 · Draper, UTThe ground recovery team member's failure to secure a rescue rope during the helicopter loading process in steep terrain, resulting in the rope fouling the helicopter's main rotor system.NTSB WPR15LA248Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSikorsky S 61A · Ironside, ORA loss of power to the No. 2 engine due to the failure of the accessory gearbox drivetrain. Also causal was the pilot’s inability to release the external longline due to the use of a safety wire across the coupling of the quick-disconnect mechanism, which…NTSB GAA15LA217Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMD Helicopter 369E · Whitefish, MTThe pilot’s failure to maintain altitude and a level attitude while hovering over water at night during an external load operation, which resulted in the helicopter’s main rotor contacting the surface of the water.NTSB CEN15FA210Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportEurocopter Deutschland MBB BK 117 C-2 · Austin, TXThe helicopter rescue specialist was not properly attached to the hoist system, which resulted in a fall during a night hoist operation.NTSB WPR14GA281Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportAmerican Eurocopter AS350B3 · Fallon, NVA loss of tail rotor effectiveness, which resulted in an uncontrolled rotation and descent into terrain. Contributing to the accident was a sudden shift in wind conditions and the helicopter's high power demand condition due to its load weight and operating…NTSB ANC14FA030Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Chugiak, AKThe pilot's loss of control of the helicopter due to impairment or incapacitation from a sudden, acute cardiac event.NTSB WPR14LA160Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAgustawestland AW109SP · Astoria, ORThe decision by the ship pilot and the helicopter crew to lower the ship pilot to a location on the ship that did not provide the helicopter pilot with an adequate view of the ship. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate pre-mission coordination…NTSB WPR14CA041Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 206B · Superior, MTThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering during a long-line operation.NTSB CEN13LA461Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 369D · Ackerly, TXThe pilot’s failure to identify and maintain adequate clearance from a shield wire that was suspended between power transmission line towers.NTSB WPR13GA338Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBell HH-1H · Mount Charleston, NVThe premature hoisting operation and the inadvertent disengagement of the hoist hook on the rescuer’s harness in dark night conditions. Contributing to the accident was a lack of direct audio communication between the rescuer and the hoist operator.NTSB WPR13LA303Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206L-3 · Missoula, MTThe pilot's failure to prevent the helicopter from settling with power and to maintain proper position relative to an external load, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent hard landing.NTSB CEN13CA281Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportHughes 369D · Camdenton, MOThe piece of wood/tree that contacted the main rotor blade during the low altitude tree-trimming flight.NTSB ANC13FA017Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportEurocopter AS350 B3 · Beluga, AKThe pilot's failure to stabilize the external load, which led to the synthetic long-line separating about midspan and the remaining line becoming entangled in the tail rotor gearbox output shaft and resulted in the separation of the tail rotor gearbox and…NTSB CEN13FA075Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 369 · Childress, TXThe improper maintenance of the helicopter fuel system that resulted in erroneous fuel gauge indications and the pilot’s inadequate fuel management, both of which resulted in fuel exhaustion during a long-line hover. Also causal was the lack of company…NTSB WPR12LA279Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell UH-1F · Concrete, WAArcing of an energized electrical power line to the external long line and the conduct of electrical energy to ground personnel.NTSB WPR12LA036Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Woodburn, ORThe pilot’s failure to maintain ground clearance while maneuvering with an external load line.NTSB WPR11WA421Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationHughes 369D · South Malekula, Vanuatu, VanuatuOn August 28, 2011, at 1500 universal coordinated time, a Hughes 369D, Vanuatu registration YJ-HEL, collided with the ground after the attached long-line became entangled in the rotor system near Malekula, Vanuatu. The helicopter was operated by Vanuatu…NTSB WPR11LA048Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMD Helicopter 369D · Salem, ORThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance between the longline and trees, which resulted in the longline snagging a tree and then recoiling into the main rotor blades and a subsequent loss of helicopter control.NTSB ERA11FA042Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMD Helicopters 369E · Thomas, WVThe pilot's failure to clear the helicopter and its external load from surrounding structures and his failure to execute a timely release of the external load, which resulted in an inadvertent entanglement and collision with wires and terrain. Contributing to…NTSB ERA10LA238Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E · Newfane, VTThe pilot's inadvertent encounter with a rope while maneuvering during powerline operations for undetermined reasons.NTSB WPR10FA012Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas Heli 369FF · Fossil, ORThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a power pole to which he was connecting wire-pulling ropes.NTSB WPR09TA353Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportCroman SH-3H · Willow Creek, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate power during egress from a heliwell, which resulted in collision with the heliwell and a dynamic rollover.NTSB CEN09WA612Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationEurocopter AS350 · Barcelona, SpainOn June 22, 2009 a Eurocopter AS350B3, Spanish registration EC-IOJ was destroyed while filling the fire attack system with water during a fire extinguishing operation. The pilot and passenger both were killed. According to several witness statements, the…NTSB WPR09LA226Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMD Helicopter 369FF · Santa Clarita, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the water while maneuvering at low altitude as a result of the helicopter's grappling hook temporarily becoming ensnared with an underwater obstruction.NTSB ANC08LA127Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Homer, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during an external load lift. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of situational awareness.