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
Apr 10, 1999	CLOQUET, MN	N119SP	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate fuel management which led to fuel exhaustion and subsequent loss of engine power. Related factors were the pole and dusk light… The pilot's inadequate fuel management which led to fuel exhaustion and subsequent loss of engine power. Related factors were the pole and dusk light conditions.
Apr 05, 1999	SHAWNEE, OK	N255AL	Incident	substantial	The improper flare during an autorotation by the pilot-in-command. A factor was the loss of engine power for an undetermined reason.
Feb 01, 1999	WEST DELTA 105B,	N6603X	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the oil platform's windsock on final approach to landing.
Nov 15, 1998	MATAGORDA 713,	N21466	Incident	substantial	The pilot's loss of control due to his failure to untie ground straps. A factor was his inadequate preflight inspection.
Oct 03, 1998	VERNAL, UT	N992SM	Incident	substantial	Loss of tail rotor effectiveness. A factor was the quartering tailwind.
Sep 12, 1998	HINKLEY, MN	N52BH	Incident	substantial	Loss of engine power due to failure of the engine governor.
Aug 21, 1998	SALINAS, CA	N223HA	Incident	destroyed	The failure of the pilot to maintain clearance with the irrigation pipes which resulted in the entanglement of the skids and the subsequent rollover.
Aug 15, 1998	CHICKALOON, AK	N70711	Incident	substantial	A fracture of the main rotor drag pin assembly.
Aug 04, 1998	LUCERNE VALLEY, CA	N5016G	Incident	substantial	The failure of the mechanic who installed the engine to follow proper procedures by insuring the proper torque to the oil output line, resulting in a… The failure of the mechanic who installed the engine to follow proper procedures by insuring the proper torque to the oil output line, resulting in a loose fitting, oil loss and subsequent bearing failure.
Jun 18, 1998	HURST, TX	N8094L	Incident	substantial	The flight instructor's failure to maintain control of the helicopter while attempting to increase the engine RPM while hovering. Factors were the pre… The flight instructor's failure to maintain control of the helicopter while attempting to increase the engine RPM while hovering. Factors were the prevailing high winds and the instructor's diverted attention.
Jun 07, 1998	CORPUS CHRISTI, TX	N16814	Incident	substantial	The failure of the tail rotor drive shaft due to the separation of a bolt at one of the drive shaft disc couplings for an undetermined reason, which r… The failure of the tail rotor drive shaft due to the separation of a bolt at one of the drive shaft disc couplings for an undetermined reason, which resulted in the pilot's inability to maintain directional control during landing.
May 21, 1998	HURST, TX	N206TA	Incident	substantial	The pilot's delayed recovery from a simulated autorotative landing.
May 15, 1998	TEMECULA, CA	N90215	Incident	destroyed	A loss of engine power due to a deteriorated compressor air seal which resulted in the fracture and separation of several stator vanes. Deterioration… A loss of engine power due to a deteriorated compressor air seal which resulted in the fracture and separation of several stator vanes. Deterioration was not detected as a result of an inadequate maintenance inspection frequency.
Apr 25, 1998	ORLANDO, FL	N60WJ	Incident	substantial	failure of the flight crew to maintain main rotor RPM during a landing touchdown, which resulted in the main rotor blades contacting the tailboom.
Apr 24, 1998	JASPER, TX	N108RL	Incident	substantial	the pilot's encounter with a dynamic rollover after the toe of the left skid became caught on a trailer, while attempting to land the trailer. A relat… the pilot's encounter with a dynamic rollover after the toe of the left skid became caught on a trailer, while attempting to land the trailer. A related factor was: the pilot's perception of pressure, which was induced by a need to perform a scheduled inspection.
Apr 21, 1998	LOS ANGELES, CA	N87WC	Incident	substantial	An overtemp of the engine during start within 10 hours of the accident, and the failure to report the event to the maintenance facility.
Apr 20, 1998	GRAND CANYON, AZ	N8533F	Incident	substantial	The malfunction and erratic speed control of the engine's governor, and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action.
Apr 17, 1998	CAMERON, LA	N59604	Incident	substantial	The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and the pilot's improper flare which resulted in a hard landing.
Mar 20, 1998	SANTA CLARITA, CA	N3186L	Incident	substantial	The failure of the pilot to maintain adequate clearance with the wires. Additional factors in this accident are the position of the sun at that time … The failure of the pilot to maintain adequate clearance with the wires. Additional factors in this accident are the position of the sun at that time of the day, which made it difficult to see the wires, and the lack of markings or poles for that series of wires.
Feb 03, 1998	MIAMI, FL	N26EA	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper use of flight controls (cyclic) while attempting a takeoff to a hover, which led to an on-ground loss of control (dynamic rollove… The pilot's improper use of flight controls (cyclic) while attempting a takeoff to a hover, which led to an on-ground loss of control (dynamic rollover).
Dec 16, 1997	IDAHO FALLS, ID	N206LT	Incident	substantial	loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s). A factor relating to the accident included a dirt berm/ridge in the field where the pilot executed t… loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s). A factor relating to the accident included a dirt berm/ridge in the field where the pilot executed the forced landing.
Dec 05, 1997	ANCHORAGE, AK	N83146	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain adequate rotor RPM during an autorotation landing.
Nov 08, 1997	FOREST GROVE, OR	N101LF	Incident	destroyed	Excessive deceleration of the helicopter by the pilot-in-command, resulting in an in-flight main rotor blade strike on the helicopter's external load … Excessive deceleration of the helicopter by the pilot-in-command, resulting in an in-flight main rotor blade strike on the helicopter's external load line and subsequent main rotor separation. Downhill terrain which led to a descending approach to the pickup point was a factor.
Oct 15, 1997	SUTTON, AK	N86TA	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain clearance between the tail rotor and the external long line cable, and the subsequent entanglement of the tail rotor w… The pilot's failure to maintain clearance between the tail rotor and the external long line cable, and the subsequent entanglement of the tail rotor with the long line.
Sep 23, 1997	HURST, TX	N9264G	Incident	substantial	The improper touchdown by the commercial pilot receiving instruction. A factor was the flight instructor's inadequate supervision.

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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