Bell 205 Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 32 events recorded from 1983 to 2024.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 12, 2024 | Región del Maule, OF | CC-ATF | Serious (1) | unk | Investigation pending |
| Sep 07, 2022 | Cougar, WA | N66HJ | Minor | substantial | The helicopter’s encounter with downdrafts during a low-altitude hovering maneuver while dipping for water. |
| Aug 31, 2022 | La Ronge, SK, CA | C-GZGK | Incident | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Jan 15, 2022 | El Cajon, CA | N502HQ | Incident | substantial | A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence. |
| Aug 24, 2020 | LaVerne, CA | N386HQ | Incident | substantial | The pilot’s delayed decision to initiate a go-around while landing in an unimproved area which resulted in a collision with debris. |
| Jun 27, 2018 | Hudson Bay, CA | C-FYHD | Incident | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Sep 04, 2011 | Tehachapi, CA | N205WW | Minor | substantial |
The pilot's inability to adequately execute an emergency autorotation due to the flight's low altitude during external load operations, which resulted…The pilot's inability to adequately execute an emergency autorotation due to the flight's low altitude during external load operations, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was a torsionally overstressed tachometer shaft, which sent erroneous engine rpm readings to the cockpit. |
| Mar 24, 2011 | San Clemente, CI | CC-CID | Fatal (1) | destroyed | Investigation pending |
| Jul 23, 2007 | Happy Camp, CA | N205BR | Fatal (1) | destroyed |
the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the trees during a long-line operation. Contributing factors were the Forest Service's inadequate comm…the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the trees during a long-line operation. Contributing factors were the Forest Service's inadequate communication between crews, failure to properly assess the safety of the intended drop zone, reduced visibility to the right side of the helicopter, and the trees. |
| Jul 16, 2005 | Lac de la Solit, CA | C-GADA | Incident | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Aug 11, 2004 | Leavenworth, WA | N205XP | Fatal (1) | destroyed |
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the snag while hovering out of ground effect during an external load operation. Factors were the smoke…The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the snag while hovering out of ground effect during an external load operation. Factors were the smoke jumper's misjudgment of the tree heights in the area, which resulted in the use of too short a long line, and their failure to communicate with the pilot about the tall snag. |
| Jun 24, 2004 | Tschagguns, AU | OE-XHK | Fatal (1) | destroyed | Investigation pending |
| Sep 17, 2001 | Troy, MT | N458CC | Incident | substantial | The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain seperation/clearance from trees while maneuvering. |
| Jul 31, 2001 | Jackson, WY | N205BR | Incident | — | the Bell 212 helicopter pilot's inadequate visual lookout which resulted in a midair collision. |
| Jan 03, 1999 | VAN NUYS, CA | N58126 | Serious (1) | substantial |
A loss of engine power due to an undetermined component failure in the second stage power turbine nozzle area. Factors in the accident were the mount…A loss of engine power due to an undetermined component failure in the second stage power turbine nozzle area. Factors in the accident were the mountainous/hilly nature of the terrain and the dark night lighting conditions which precluded the pilot from selecting a suitable forced landing area. |
| Jun 10, 1998 | PADERBORN, GE | DHAFH | Incident | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Apr 03, 1998 | WEWAHITCHKA, FL | N508DD | Incident | destroyed | The pilot's loss of control as a result of erratic flight control movement due to a surge in hydraulic pressure for undetermined reasons. |
| Mar 23, 1998 | LOS ANGELES, CA | N90230 | Fatal (4) | destroyed |
An excessive bending load applied to the tail rotor blade assembly of an undetermined origin which produced a fatigue crack, the separation of the ass…An excessive bending load applied to the tail rotor blade assembly of an undetermined origin which produced a fatigue crack, the separation of the assembly, and a forced landing. Factors were the lack of suitable terrain to perform a forced landing, the manufacturer's unclear maintenance bulletin instruction and procedures which facilitated the operator's inadequate inspection for the yoke's straightness, and the inadequacy of restraint systems and protective equipment. |
| Sep 12, 1997 | SEQUIM, WA | N90HJ | Fatal (3) | destroyed | the pilot's intentional flight into known adverse weather conditions in mountainous terrain. |
| Mar 15, 1997 | LOFSSJON, SW | HSX | Fatal | — | Investigation pending |
| Mar 21, 1996 | GROVE HILL, AL | N68HJ | Incident | substantial |
fatigue failure of the vertical fin forward spar in an area that was not accessible to inspection. A factor relating to the accident was: guidance fo…fatigue failure of the vertical fin forward spar in an area that was not accessible to inspection. A factor relating to the accident was: guidance for inspection of the area (where the fatigue occurred) was insufficiently defined by the manufacturer. |
| Aug 03, 1992 | ARCO, ID | N66HJ | Incident | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Apr 20, 1990 | MONCKS CORNER, SC | N67HJ | Fatal (1) | destroyed |
THE IN-FLIGHT SEPARATION OF THE MAIN ROTOR BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE OF A PILLOW BLOCK BOLT, AND THE FAILURE OF THE OPERATOR/REPAIR STATION TO FOLLOW THE…THE IN-FLIGHT SEPARATION OF THE MAIN ROTOR BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE OF A PILLOW BLOCK BOLT, AND THE FAILURE OF THE OPERATOR/REPAIR STATION TO FOLLOW THE OVERHAUL PROCEDURES. |
| Feb 07, 1990 | WRANGELL, AK | CGNMJ | Fatal (6) | destroyed |
THE PILOT'S CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC), AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DUE TO SPATIAL D…THE PILOT'S CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC), AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DUE TO SPATIAL DISORIENTATION. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: COMPANY INDUCED PRESSURE TO MAKE THE FLIGHT, THE PILOT'S DECISION TO INITIATE FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, HIS LACK OF INSTRUMENT EXPERIENCE, HIS OVERCONFIDENCE IN HIS PERSONAL ABILITIES, AND THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS. |
| Jan 18, 1985 | NEWHALL, CA | N830V | Fatal (1) | destroyed | Investigation pending |