NTSB Final Report: Ponderosa Pines, MT
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Location:
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Ponderosa Pines, Montana
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Accident Number:
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WPR25LA239
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Date & Time:
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August 3, 2025, 17:29 Local
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Registration:
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N750GT
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Aircraft:
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ROBINSON HELICOPTER
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Aircraft Damage:
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Substantial
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COMPANY R44 II
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Defining Event:
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Loss of control in flight
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Injuries:
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2 Minor
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Flight Conducted Under:
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Part 91: General aviation - Personal
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Analysis
The pilot reported that he was transitioning the helicopter into a 4 ft hover when he encountered a wind gust. The pilot stated that he overreacted with too much right pedal and the helicopter rotated right, the left skid impacted the ground, which resulted in a dynamic rollover and impact with terrain. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and tailboom.
The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The pilot’s improper pedal application during an approach to a hover.
Findings
Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot
Aircraft Directional control - Not attained/maintained
Aircraft Yaw control - Incorrect use/operation
Factual Information
History of Flight
Maneuvering-low-alt flying Loss of control in flight (Defining event)
Pilot Information
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Certificate:
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Private
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Age:
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42,Female
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Airplane Rating(s):
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None
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Seat Occupied:
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Right
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Other Aircraft Rating(s):
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Helicopter
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Restraint Used:
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3-point
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Instrument Rating(s):
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None
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Second Pilot Present:
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No
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Instructor Rating(s):
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None
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Toxicology Performed:
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Medical Certification:
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Class 1 Unknown
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Last FAA Medical Exam:
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January 31, 2019
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Occupational Pilot:
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No
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Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
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Flight Time:
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(Estimated) 230 hours (Total, all aircraft)
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Pilot-rated passenger Information
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Certificate:
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Age:
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Airplane Rating(s):
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Seat Occupied:
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Left
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Other Aircraft Rating(s):
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Restraint Used:
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3-point
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Instrument Rating(s):
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Second Pilot Present:
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No
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Instructor Rating(s):
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Toxicology Performed:
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Medical Certification:
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Last FAA Medical Exam:
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Occupational Pilot:
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Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
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Flight Time:
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Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
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Aircraft Make:
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ROBINSON HELICOPTER
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Registration:
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N750GT
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COMPANY
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Model/Series:
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R44 II
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Aircraft Category:
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Helicopter
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Year of Manufacture:
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2007
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Amateur Built:
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Airworthiness Certificate:
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Normal
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Serial Number:
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11783
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Landing Gear Type:
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None; Skid
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Seats:
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4
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Date/Type of Last
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Certified Max Gross Wt.:
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Inspection:
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Time Since Last Inspection:
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Engines:
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1 Reciprocating
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Airframe Total Time:
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Engine Manufacturer:
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Lycoming
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ELT:
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Installed, activated, did not aid
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Engine Model/Series:
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IO-540
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in locating accident
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Registered Owner:
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DRAGONFLY FLIGHT
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Rated Power:
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245 Horsepower
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ADVENTURES LLC
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Operator:
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Anna Kopp
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Operating Certificate(s)
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None
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Held:
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Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
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Conditions at Accident Site:
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Visual (VMC)
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Condition of Light:
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Day
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Observation Facility, Elevation:
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KBZN,4431 ft msl
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Distance from Accident Site:
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17 Nautical Miles
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Observation Time:
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18:56 Local
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Direction from Accident Site:
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166°
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Lowest Cloud Condition:
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Clear
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Visibility
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10 miles
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Lowest Ceiling:
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None
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Visibility (RVR):
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Wind Speed/Gusts:
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5 knots / None
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Turbulence Type
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Unknown / Unknown
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Forecast/Actual:
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Wind Direction:
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10°
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Turbulence Severity
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Unknown / Unknown
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Forecast/Actual:
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Altimeter Setting:
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30.05 inches Hg
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Temperature/Dew Point:
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28°C / -1°C
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Precipitation and Obscuration:
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No Obscuration; No Precipitation
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Departure Point:
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Bozeman, MT (BZN)
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Type of Flight Plan Filed:
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None
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Destination:
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Bozeman, MT (BZN)
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Type of Clearance:
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VFR;None
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Departure Time:
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16:40 Local
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Type of Airspace:
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Class G
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Wreckage and Impact Information
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Crew Injuries:
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1 Minor
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Aircraft Damage:
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Substantial
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Passenger
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1 Minor
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Aircraft Fire:
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None
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Injuries:
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Ground Injuries:
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N/A
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Aircraft Explosion:
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None
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Total Injuries:
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2 Minor
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Latitude,
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46.057328,-111.26057(est)
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Longitude:
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Administrative Information
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Investigator In Charge (IIC):
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Swick, Andrew
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Additional Participating
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Jeffrey Simmons; FAA-FSDO; Helena, MT
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Persons:
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Original Publish Date:
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November 6, 2025
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Last Revision Date:
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Investigation Class:
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Class 4
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Note:
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The NTSB did not travel to the scene of this accident.
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Investigation Docket:
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https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200712
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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is an independent federal agency charged by Congress with investigating every civil aviation accident in the United States and significant events in other modes of transportation— railroad, transit, highway, marine, pipeline, and commercial space. We determine the probable causes of the accidents and events we investigate, and issue safety recommendations aimed at preventing future occurrences. In addition, we conduct transportation safety research studies and offer information and other assistance to family members and survivors for each accident or event we investigate. We also serve as the appellate authority for enforcement actions involving aviation and mariner certificates issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and US Coast Guard, and we adjudicate appeals of civil penalty actions taken by the FAA.
The NTSB does not assign fault or blame for an accident or incident; rather, as specified by NTSB regulation, “accident/incident investigations are fact-finding proceedings with no formal issues and no adverse parties … and are not conducted for the purpose of determining the rights or liabilities of any person” (Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations section 831.4). Assignment of fault or legal liability is not relevant to the NTSB’s statutory mission to improve transportation safety by investigating accidents and incidents and issuing safety recommendations. In addition, statutory language prohibits the admission into evidence or use of any part of an NTSB report related to an accident in a civil action for damages resulting from a matter mentioned in the report (Title 49 United States Code section 1154(b)). A factual report that may be admissible under 49 United States Code section 1154(b) is available here.
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