Bell 206 Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 1329 events recorded from 1982 to 2026.

1329

All Events

546

Incidents

242

Minor

192

Serious

317

Fatal (670 fatalities)

Date Location Reg# Severity Damage Probable Cause
Jan 17, 2015 Santa Catarina Ixtahuacan, GT TG-TOL Minor destroyed Investigation pending
Jan 01, 2015 Benson, AZ N57AW Fatal (2) destroyed
The pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions which resulted in an inflight collision with terrain. Contributing to th…

The pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions which resulted in an inflight collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight planning, during which he failed to identify forecasted deteriorating weather conditions along the route of flight.

Nov 01, 2014 Boca Chica, DR HI419 Fatal (1) substantial Investigation pending
Oct 25, 2014 West Palm Beach, FL N418SV Incident substantial A hard landing for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.
Oct 16, 2014 Prattville, AL N59541 Incident substantial The pilot's improper fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
Oct 03, 2014 Atlanta, AR N4426M Serious (1) substantial The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection when he did not remove a tie-down strap prior to takeoff, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.
Oct 02, 2014 Woodsboro, TX N49746 Serious (3) substantial
The pilot’s failure to recognize and correct for flight conditions conducive to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness, which resulted in a rapid, uncomma…

The pilot’s failure to recognize and correct for flight conditions conducive to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness, which resulted in a rapid, uncommanded right yaw and subsequent hard landing.

Sep 25, 2014 Suchitepéquez Department, GT TG-LOU Incident substantial Investigation pending
Sep 25, 2014 Nashoba, OK N152CA Incident substantial The pilot's loss of directional control due a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.
Sep 23, 2014 Bolivar, VE YV-2537 Fatal (3) substantial Investigation pending
Sep 12, 2014 Tombstone, AZ N64AW Incident substantial
A partial loss of engine power during cruise flight due to loose “B” nut fittings and a bent tube as a result of maintenance personnel’s inadequate in…

A partial loss of engine power during cruise flight due to loose “B” nut fittings and a bent tube as a result of maintenance personnel’s inadequate inspection of the nuts during the most recent inspection.

Jul 30, 2014 Spring, TX N866H Incident substantial
The pilot's distraction by a cell phone call, which led to his failure to perform an exterior check of the helicopter and resulted in a tie-down strap…

The pilot's distraction by a cell phone call, which led to his failure to perform an exterior check of the helicopter and resulted in a tie-down strap remaining attached to the main rotor during the engine start.

Jul 26, 2014 Bennet, NE N240SJ Incident substantial
A total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination, which resulted from the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection. Contributing to the accident …

A total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination, which resulted from the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection. Contributing to the accident was the operator’s failure to properly maintain the fuel storage tank.

Jul 23, 2014 Wenatchee, WA N949FM Fatal (1) substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain a proper decent rate and path, which resulted in a hard landing and dynamic rollover. Contributing to the accident was…

The pilot's failure to maintain a proper decent rate and path, which resulted in a hard landing and dynamic rollover. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment by a sedating medication.

Jul 19, 2014 Salinas, CA N291SH Incident substantial The pilot's failure to ensure adequate clearance from ground obstacles during takeoff which resulted in loss of aircraft control.
Jun 17, 2014 Decatur, TX N536T Minor substantial The flight instructor’s improper recovery from a practice autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing.
Jun 11, 2014 South Timbalier Platform, USA N207MY Fatal (2) destroyed The pilot's loss of helicopter control for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
Apr 04, 2014 Missoula, MT N43MA Minor substantial A dynamic rollover during attempted liftoff.
Feb 05, 2014 Bountiful, UT N3211N Incident substantial
The pilots' inaccurate assessment of the snow depth on the landing zone, which resulted in a landing on snow deeper than that for which the helicopter…

The pilots' inaccurate assessment of the snow depth on the landing zone, which resulted in a landing on snow deeper than that for which the helicopter was equipped and led to dynamic rollover.

Jan 27, 2014 Silt, CO N207DS Fatal (3) destroyed
The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning for a low-level aerial surveillance flight of power transmission lines, which led to his being unaware of th…

The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning for a low-level aerial surveillance flight of power transmission lines, which led to his being unaware of the crossing power line while flying toward the sun and his subsequent failure to maintain sufficient clearance from the wire.

Jan 09, 2014 Antioquia, CO HK-4462 Fatal (5) destroyed <br /><br />
Jan 02, 2014 Temple, TX N400XL Incident substantial The pilot's loss of control while landing on a mobile helipad.
Dec 30, 2013 Berastagi, ID PK-DAL Fatal (1) destroyed <br /><br />
Nov 02, 2013 Superior, MT N888DR Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering during a long-line operation.
Oct 28, 2013 Milo, OR N16673 Serious (3) substantial The pilot's failure to see and avoid wires while maneuvering at a low-altitude, which resulted in the main rotor blades striking the wires.
Disclaimer: This data is sourced from the NTSB Aviation Accident Database. NTSB events reflect reported accidents and incidents and do not necessarily indicate a defect in the aircraft type. Many events involve pilot error, weather conditions, maintenance issues, or other factors unrelated to the aircraft design. This information is provided for research purposes only — consult official NTSB reports for complete details.
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Data source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database · About our data