How many accidents has the Bell 206 had?

The NTSB has recorded 1329 events involving the Bell 206: 317 fatal, 192 serious, 242 minor injuries, and 546 incidents with no injuries.

Is the Bell 206 a safe aircraft?

Safety depends on many factors beyond the aircraft model, including pilot training, maintenance, and weather conditions. The Bell 206 has 1329 NTSB-recorded events. Always review individual reports for context — many events involve pilot error or weather, not aircraft defects.

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
Oct 10, 2012	Crowley, LA	N333DR	Fatal (1)	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the broadcast tower guy-wires.
Sep 19, 2012	Mammoth Lakes, CA	N222GR	Incident	destroyed	The pilot’s inability to maintain sufficient main rotor rpm while maneuvering in highdensity altitude conditions, which resulted in a precautionary … The pilot’s inability to maintain sufficient main rotor rpm while maneuvering in highdensity altitude conditions, which resulted in a precautionary landing and subsequent rollover.
Aug 18, 2012	San Juan, PR	N118EC	Incident	substantial	The crew’s inadequate preflight inspection and failure to monitor the fuel state during flight, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to … The crew’s inadequate preflight inspection and failure to monitor the fuel state during flight, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
Jul 20, 2012	Circle, AK	N363AL	Incident	substantial	The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing.
Jul 07, 2012	Chuxiong City, China, CH	P2 HCY	Fatal (3)	substantial	Investigation pending
May 30, 2012	Burbank, WA	N106TV	Incident	substantial	The failure of maintenance personnel to properly torque an air tube fitting, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.
May 28, 2012	GM	N7077F	Fatal (1)	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from an obstacle while landing on an obstructed helipad, which resulted in a collision and loss of control. … The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from an obstacle while landing on an obstructed helipad, which resulted in a collision and loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the helipad owner to mark the helipad closed and the failure of the flight operator to report the known hazard and issue a notice to airman.
May 25, 2012	Longboat Key, FL	N806LA	Incident	substantial	Unknown personnel's failure to comply with the engine manufacturer's engine fuel pump replacement guidance, which resulted in a total loss of engine p… Unknown personnel's failure to comply with the engine manufacturer's engine fuel pump replacement guidance, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to the engine fuel pump failure.
May 09, 2012	Flora, IN	N1069Z	Incident	substantial	The pilot allowed the helicopter to settle with power.
May 02, 2012	Valley Falls, KS	N85RB	Minor	substantial	The pilot’s inadequate compensation for the wind conditions during a hover maneuver, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.
Apr 27, 2012	Hershey, PA	N16EP	Serious (1)	substantial	The pilot's diverted attention while performing aerial application at low altitude, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to … The pilot's diverted attention while performing aerial application at low altitude, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to adjust the control friction to the position he was accustomed.
Apr 26, 2012	Amarillo, TX	N2068X	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control during landing in gusty wind conditions associated with a thunderstorm, which resulted in a loss of… The pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control during landing in gusty wind conditions associated with a thunderstorm, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.
Apr 25, 2012	Arvin, CA	N969W	Incident	substantial	The pilot did not maintain clearance from power lines during low altitude maneuvering.
Mar 12, 2012	Southern Timbalier 52CA, USA	N104LP	Incident	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.
Mar 06, 2012	Titusville, FL	N83AP	Minor	substantial	The flight instructor's attempted takeoff in gusting wind conditions while the student pilot was adjusting her anti-torque pedals, which resulted in a… The flight instructor's attempted takeoff in gusting wind conditions while the student pilot was adjusting her anti-torque pedals, which resulted in a dynamic rollover event.
Jan 22, 2012	Irving, TX	N555NB	Incident	substantial	A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot’s inadequate fuel planning.
Jan 18, 2012	Montana Auyantepui, VE	YV1985	Fatal (5)	destroyed	Investigation pending
Dec 26, 2011	Green Cove Springs, FL	N5016M	Fatal (3)	destroyed	The pilot’s improper decision to continue visual flight into night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terr… The pilot’s improper decision to continue visual flight into night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the pilot’s improper decision was his self-induced pressure to complete the trip.
Dec 01, 2011	Wingate, NC	N216TV	Incident	substantial	The certified flight instructor did not select an adequate landing site for the practice autorotation.
Nov 14, 2011	Woodburn, OR	N16HA	Serious (1)	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain ground clearance while maneuvering with an external load line.
Nov 02, 2011	Kapuskasing, CA	C-GDQH	Fatal (3)	substantial	Investigation pending
Oct 04, 2011	New York, NY	N63Q	Fatal (2)	substantial	The pilot's failure to anticipate and correct for conditions (high gross weight, low indicated airspeed, and a right downwind turn) conducive to loss … The pilot's failure to anticipate and correct for conditions (high gross weight, low indicated airspeed, and a right downwind turn) conducive to loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE), which resulted in LTE and an uncontrolled spin. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in the helicopter being in excess of its maximum allowable gross weight at takeoff.
Sep 23, 2011	Seward, AK	N204PA	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from snow-covered terrain during hover in deteriorating weather and flat light conditions, which resulted in… The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from snow-covered terrain during hover in deteriorating weather and flat light conditions, which resulted in a tail rotor strike.
Sep 15, 2011	Spicewood, TX	N3181J	Incident	substantial	The pilot did not maintain adequate rotor rpm during a low-altitude maneuvering flight.
Aug 01, 2011	Relience, TN	N484AE	Incident	minor	Inadvertent contact with wires due to the lack of visual cues regarding their presence and the low angle of the sun, which was directly in the takeoff… Inadvertent contact with wires due to the lack of visual cues regarding their presence and the low angle of the sun, which was directly in the takeoff path.

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

Bell 206 Safety Record

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