# NTSB DCA20MA059: Sikorsky S76, N72EX, Calabasas, CA, January 26, 2020

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Class 1 · Major · Final report
- Date: January 26, 2020, 09:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Calabasas, CA
- Coordinates: 34.110691, -118.67092 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1107&lon=-118.6709&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute: VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 9 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 9, 2021
- Report: Board-adopted at Board Meeting, Board meeting February 9, 2021
- Investigation class: Class 1
- NTSB office: Major Investigations Division
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 100863
- NTSB case page: https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/Pages/DCA20MA059.aspx
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100863/pdf
- Board report AAR2101 (PDF): https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/AAR2101.pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100863
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA20MA059

## Probable cause

The pilot’s decision to continue flight under visual flight rules into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the pilot’s spatial disorientation and loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s likely self-induced pressure and the pilot’s plan continuation bias, which adversely affected his decision-making, and Island Express Helicopters Inc.’s inadequate review and oversight of its safety management processes.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Sikorsky S-76B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=8143007), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Perception/orientation/illusion: spatial disorientation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022025): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Sikorsky S-76B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022025/cases.md?model=8143007), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022025/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Sikorsky S-76B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8143007), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Personality/attitude: motivation/respond to pressure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021025): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Sikorsky S-76B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021025/cases.md?model=8143007), [All aircraft, 53 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021025/cases.md)
- [Safety programs: adequacy of safety program](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04035015): Organizational issues › Support/oversight/monitoring · Operator (probable cause); cases with it: [Sikorsky S-76B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04035015/cases.md?model=8143007), [All aircraft, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04035015/cases.md)
- [Air traffic/operating proc](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03014000): Environmental issues › Operating environment · Compliance w/ procedure; cases with it: [Sikorsky S-76B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03014000/cases.md?model=8143007), [All aircraft, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03014000/cases.md)
- [Ceiling/visibility/precip: clouds](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Sikorsky S-76B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035025/cases.md?model=8143007), [All aircraft, 108 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035025/cases.md)
- [Indicating/recording systems: data recorders (flight/maint)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023130): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not installed/available; cases with it: [Sikorsky S-76B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023130/cases.md?model=8143007), [All aircraft, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023130/cases.md)
- [Communication (personnel): lack of communication](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063510): Personnel issues › Task performance · ATC personnel; cases with it: [Sikorsky S-76B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063510/cases.md?model=8143007), [All aircraft, 84 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063510/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Enroute: VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401) (defining event); cases with it: [Sikorsky S-76B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md?model=8143007), [All aircraft, 392 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md)
- [Enroute: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Sikorsky S-76B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=8143007), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Enroute: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Sikorsky S-76B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8143007), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Factual narrative

On January 26, 2020, about 0945 PST, a Sikorsky S76B helicopter, N72EX, crashed into hilly terrain near Calabasas, California. A post impact fire ensued and resulted in a brush fire. The eight passengers and one pilot onboard were fatally injured and the helicopter was destroyed. The helicopter was operated by Island Express Helicopters. Weather at Van Nuys airport, about 14 miles northeast of the site was reported as 1,100 feet overcast with 2 ½ miles visibility. The flight was operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 135 under visual flight rules from John Wayne Airport (KSNA), Santa Ana, California, to Camarillo Airport (KCMA), Camarillo, California. An Investigative Webpage is located at https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/Pages/DCA20MA059.aspx.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N72EX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N72EX-2022-01-08), registration cancelled 2022-01-08, S/N 760379, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Sikorsky S76 (B)
- Registry model: [Sikorsky S-76B](https://openairdocs.org/model/sikorsky-s-76b) (registry code 8143007) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6-series) (registry code 52033, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 760379
- Year built: 1991
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Island Express
- Registered owner: Island Express Holding Corp
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: KSNA, Santa Ana, CA
- Destination: KCMA, Camarillo, CA
- Equipment: Auto-pilot, ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; injuries: fatal; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; toxicology performed; flight hours: 8,577 total, 1,250 in this make and model, 61 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1.5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 2.5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,100 ft overcast
- Observed at: KVNY, 14 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20200126001589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200126001589A), Jan 26, 2020: Sikorsky S-76B, Calabasas, CA, Destroyed, 9 fatal. On January 26, 2020, at 0945 pacific standard time (PST), a Sikorsky S-76B helicopter, N72EX, Collided with hilly terrain near the city of Calabasas,…

## Docket (53 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 17, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100863. 2.0 GB in all.

- Operational factors and human performance group chairman factual (item 1, PDF, 29 pages, 430 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9742056&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Ops-HP%20Factual%20Report-Rel.pdf
- Ops/hp attachment 1 interviews toc (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 36 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9728610&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Attachment%201%20Interviews%20ToC-Rel.pdf
- Operational factors and human performance group interview official transcripts (item 3, ZIP, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9741321&FileExtension=zip&FileName=DCA20MA059%20HP%20OPS%20Group%20Chairman%20Interviews.zip
- Ops/hp attachment 2 pilot's documents (item 4, PDF, 148 pages, 26.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9728818&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Attachement%202_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Ops/hp attachment 4 flight planning documents (item 5, PDF, 26 pages, 5.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9728954&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Attachment%204%20Flight%20Planning%20Documentation.pdf
- Maintenance records (item 6, PDF, 13 pages, 164 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9703925&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Factual%20-%20Maintenance%20Records-Rel.pdf
- Aircraft performance study (item 7, PDF, 13 pages, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9717663&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=DCA20MA059_PerformanceStudy-Rel.pdf
- Deleted--personal electronic devices - specialist's factual report (item 8, PDF, 9 pages, 772 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9720031&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Personal%20Electronic%20Devices%20-%20Specialist%27s%20Factual%20Report-Rel.pdf
- Errata - personal electronic devices - specialist's factual report (item 9, PDF, 1 page, 13 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9907929&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Errata%20-%20Personal%20Electronic%20Devices%20-%20Specialist%27s%20Factual%20Report-Rel.pdf
- Addendum - personal electronic device - specialist's factual report (item 10, PDF, 3 pages, 273 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11627844&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Addendum%20-%20Personal%20Electronic%20Device%20-%20Specialist%27s%20Factual%20Report-Rel.pdf
- Addendum 2 - personal electronic device - specialist's factual report (item 11, PDF, 2 pages, 116 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11990985&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Addendum%202%20-%20Personal%20Electronic%20Device%20-%20Specialist%27s%20Factual%20Report-Rel.pdf
- Meteorology factual report (item 12, PDF, 38 pages, 12.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9725590&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WX_DCA20MA059_Factual__FINAL-Rel.pdf
- Attachment 1 to the meteorology factual report (item 13, PDF, 230 pages, 428 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9726018&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WX_DCA20MA059_Attachment_1-Rel.pdf
- Attachment 2 to the meteorology factual report (item 14, PDF, 36 pages, 21.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9726614&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WX_DCA20MA059_Attachment_2__redacted-Rel.pdf
- Attachment 3 to the meteorology factual report (item 15, PDF, 20 pages, 6.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9854840&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WX_DCA20MA059_Attachment_3__redacted-Rel.pdf
- Attachment 4 to the meteorology factual report (item 16, PDF, 27 pages, 83 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9727114&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WX_DCA20MA059_Attachment_4-Rel.pdf
- Attachment 5 to the meteorology factual report (item 17, PDF, 13 pages, 6.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9722048&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WX_DCA20MA059_Attachment_5-Rel.pdf
- Attachment 6 to the meteorology factual report (item 18, PDF, 4 pages, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9726322&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WX_DCA20MA059_Attachment_6__redacted-Rel.pdf
- Attachment 7 to the meteorology factual report (item 19, PDF, 22 pages, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9726623&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WX_DCA20MA059_Attachment_7-Rel.pdf
- Meterology - baseball fields camera videos (item 20, ZIP, 338 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9726729&FileExtension=zip&FileName=Baseball_fields_camera_videos-Rel.zip
- Meteorology - bloomsky video (item 21, MP4, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9721926&FileExtension=mp4&FileName=Bloomsky_video-Rel.mp4
- Meteorology - city of calabasas video (item 22, ZIP, 130 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9727530&FileExtension=zip&FileName=City_of_Calabasas_video-Rel.zip
- Meteorology - dash cam videos (item 23, ZIP, 268 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9726861&FileExtension=zip&FileName=Dash_Cam_videos-Rel.zip
- Meteorology - sce camera video loops (item 24, ZIP, 300 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9845838&FileExtension=zip&FileName=SCE_camera_video_loops-Rel.zip
- Meteorology - video visibility study (item 25, PDF, 12 pages, 5.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9755311&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Calabasas_Video_Based_Visibility_Study-Rel.pdf
- Errata 1 to the meteorology factual report (item 26, PDF, 2 pages, 16 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9886710&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WX_DCA20MA059_Errata1-Rel.pdf
- Addendum 1 to the meteorology factual report (item 27, PDF, 4 pages, 608 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9885956&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WX_DCA20MA059_Factual_Addendum1_redacted-Rel.pdf
- Airworthiness group chairman's factual report (item 28, PDF, 15 pages, 8 photos, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9764444&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=DCA20MA059-Airworthiness%20Factual%20(FINAL)-Rel.pdf
- Airworthiness group chairman's factual report - attachment 1-list of recovered avionics (item 29, PDF, 14 pages, 148 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9766031&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=DCA20MA059-Airworthiness%20GF-Attachment%201%20(FINAL)-Rel.pdf
- Airworthiness - UAS imagery report (item 30, PDF, 6 pages, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9735031&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=DCA20MA059%20-%20Calabasas%20N72EX%20Aerial%20Imagery-Rel.pdf
- Airworthiness - UAS att 1 google earth kmz (item 31, KMZ, 86.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9733122&FileExtension=kmz&FileName=Att%201%20-%20Google%20Earth-Rel.kmz
- Airworthiness - UAS att 2 orthomosaic geotiff (item 32, ZIP, 285 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9735359&FileExtension=zip&FileName=Att%202%20-%20Combined_transparent_mosaic_group1-Rel.zip
- Airworthiness - UAS att 3 flight path video (item 33, MP4, 446 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9735368&FileExtension=mp4&FileName=Att%203%20-%20FlightPathVideo-Rel.mp4
- Airworthiness - UAS att 4 panoramic photo (item 34, JPG, 30.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9733715&FileExtension=jpg&FileName=Att%204%20-%20Pano-Rel.jpg
- ATC group chairman's factual report (item 35, PDF, 17 pages, 209 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9794571&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=DCA20MA059%20-%20ATC%20Factual%20Report%20-%20Final-Rel.pdf
- ATC group chairman's factual report - attachment 1 - interview summaries (item 36, PDF, 19 pages, 125 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9794086&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=DCA20MA059%20-%20ATC%20Factual%20Report%20-%20Attachment%201%20-%20Final-Rel.pdf
- ATC group chairman's factual report - attachment 2 - record of conversation (item 37, PDF, 12 pages, 3.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9794514&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=DCA20MA059%20-%20ATC%20Factual%20Report%20-%20Attachment%202%20-%20Final-Rel.pdf
- ATC group chairman's factual report - attachment 3 - partial ATC communication transcript (item 38, PDF, 6 pages, 150 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9794523&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=DCA20MA059%20-%20ATC%20Factual%20Report%20-%20Attachment%203%20-%20Final-Rel.pdf
- ATC group chairman's factual report - attachment 4 - flight track graphics (item 39, PDF, 4 pages, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9794707&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=DCA20MA059%20-%20ATC%20Factual%20Report%20-%20Attachment%204%20-%20Final-Rel.pdf
- Errata - ATC group chairman's factual report - attachment 5 - ADS-B data - cc (item 40, PDF, 1 page, 105 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11905669&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=DCA20MA059%20-%20ATC%20Errata%201-Rel.pdf
- ATC group chairman's factual report - attachment 5 - ADS-B data - cc (item 41, CSV, 970 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11906491&FileExtension=csv&FileName=DCA20MA059%20-%20ATC%20Factual%20Report%20-%20Attachment%205%20-%20CC-Rel.csv
- Powerplants group chairman's factual report (item 42, PDF, 27 pages, 59 photos, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9833573&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=_DCA20MA059%20Powerplants%20Group%20Chairman%27s%20Factual%20Report-Rel.pdf
- Technical review master errata sheet (item 43, PDF, 2 pages, 104 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9825972&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Calabasas%20Technical%20Review%20Errata-Rel.pdf
- Materials laboratory factual report (item 44, PDF, 40 pages, 44 photos, 6.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11602271&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=20-043%20Factual%20Final-Rel.pdf
- FMS data extraction report (item 45, PDF, 29 pages, 136 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11662700&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=DCA20MA059FmsReportReleasedRev2-Rel.pdf
- Party submission - island express (item 46, PDF, 9 pages, 7.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11922237&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=IEH%20Submission_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Party submission - Sikorsky (item 47, PDF, 9 pages, 484 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11921939&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Sikorsky%20Submission-Rel.pdf
- Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 48, PDF, 1 page, 733 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11960664&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Wreckage%20Release%20-%20DCA20MA059_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Ops/human performance attach #6 sms updated redaction (item 49, PDF, 215 pages, 15.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11990863&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Attachemnt%206%20SMS%20and%20Related%20Documents-Rels_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Ops/human performance emails attach #7 updated redaction (item 50, PDF, 26 pages, 800 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11991745&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Attachment%207%20Emails%20and%20Records%20of%20Conversations_REDACTED_Redactedx-Rel.pdf
- Ops/human performance attachment text messages attachment #5 (item 51, PDF, 24 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11991521&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Attachment%205%20Text%20Messages%20REDACTION%20UPDATED-Rel.pdf
- Ops/human performance attachment island express documents attachment #3 redacted updated (item 52, PDF, 59 pages, 6.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11991531&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Attachment%203%20Island%20Express%20Documents%20REDACTION%20UPDATED_Redactedx-Rel.pdf
- FAA emails regarding 135 operator numbers (item 53, PDF, 3 pages, 195 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12008123&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA_email_Part_135_SMSVP_Redacted-Rel.pdf

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.