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 15, 1994 ENGLEWOOD, CO N937S Incident substantial
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM, HIS DELAYED FLARE, AND IMPROPER TOUCHDOWN. A FACTOR WAS A FAILURE OF THE FUEL CONTROL/GOVERNOR TO THE HIGH …

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM, HIS DELAYED FLARE, AND IMPROPER TOUCHDOWN. A FACTOR WAS A FAILURE OF THE FUEL CONTROL/GOVERNOR TO THE HIGH SIDE WHICH REQUIRED THE PILOT TO PERFORM A FULL AUTOROTATION.

Mar 27, 1994 BELEN, NM N2779B Incident substantial THE HARD LANDING DUE TO A DELAYED FLARE AND IMPROPER TOUCHDOWN. A FACTOR WAS THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.
Feb 27, 1994 AGUA DULCE, CA N50PE Incident substantial THE CFI'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN TO DEMONSTRATE A SIMULATED AUTOROTATION. THE SOFT TERRAIN WAS A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT.
Jan 20, 1994 CASCADE, CO N3211K Incident substantial THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRCRAFT'S YAW PERFORMANCE BEING EXCEEDED. A FACTOR WAS THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE.
Dec 24, 1993 LAS VEGAS, NV N162BC Incident substantial the pilot's failure to properly position the helicopter away from the dolly edge during the initial touchdown.
Dec 11, 1993 FLAGSTAFF, AZ N2773R Incident substantial
The pilot's improper initiation of an emergency autorotation into unsuitable terrain and subsequent hard landing and rollover. A false annunciator in…

The pilot's improper initiation of an emergency autorotation into unsuitable terrain and subsequent hard landing and rollover. A false annunciator indication, a failure of the N1 tach generator, the pilot's continued flight with a known aircraft defect, and the pilot's improper identification of the failed N1 gauge were factors in this accident.

Oct 29, 1993 NEW YORK, NY N16696 Incident
Inadequate maintenance which resulted in the improper alignment of the 'O' ring on the spur adapter gear drive which caused lack of lubrication and we…

Inadequate maintenance which resulted in the improper alignment of the 'O' ring on the spur adapter gear drive which caused lack of lubrication and wear of the gear drive and the disengagement of the compressor and turbine.

Oct 29, 1993 GULF OF MEXICO, N5370V Incident substantial THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION IN THAT HE FAILED TO REMOVE A TIE DOWN ROPE. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S SELF-INDUCED PRESSURE.
Sep 30, 1993 HURST, TX N2064J Incident substantial
THE EXCESSIVE FLARE AND THE CONTROL INTERFERENCE BY THE PILOT UNDERGOING INSTRUCTION AND INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE CFI. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S F…

THE EXCESSIVE FLARE AND THE CONTROL INTERFERENCE BY THE PILOT UNDERGOING INSTRUCTION AND INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE CFI. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO UNDERSTAND THE INSTRUCTOR'S DIRECTIONS DUE TO HIS LIMITED KNOWLEDGE OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE.

Sep 29, 1993 WHT SANDS MR, NM N39049 Incident substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO LAND AN ADEQUATE DISTANCE AWAY FROM THE UNSECURED PARACHUTE.
Aug 04, 1993 PEARLAND, TX N16814 Incident substantial
PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ROTOR RPM, THE DELAYED FLARE, AND IMPROPER TOUCHDOWN. FACTORS WERE TOTAL FAILURE OF THE POWER TURBINE DUE TO OIL ST…

PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ROTOR RPM, THE DELAYED FLARE, AND IMPROPER TOUCHDOWN. FACTORS WERE TOTAL FAILURE OF THE POWER TURBINE DUE TO OIL STARVATION TO THE #8 BEARING ASSEMBLY.

Jun 17, 1993 STONEYFORD, CA N38EA Incident substantial
the pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing wind conditions during a hover operation. A factor in the accident was the high density altitude…

the pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing wind conditions during a hover operation. A factor in the accident was the high density altitude and the gusting, variable wind conditions.

Jan 24, 1993 BRIGHAM CITY, UT N39088 Incident substantial
THE LOCATION OF UNMARKED ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION WIRES OVER A DESIGNATED AIRPORT TAXIWAY. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S LACK OF E…

THE LOCATION OF UNMARKED ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION WIRES OVER A DESIGNATED AIRPORT TAXIWAY. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPECTANCY TO ENCOUNTER WIRES ABOVE AN ARPT TAXIWAY, AND HIS DIVERTED ATTENTION DUE TO THE CLOSE PROXIMITY OF THE TAXIWAY TO BUILDINGS AND THE LOOSE DRY SNOW ON THE AIRPORT.

Nov 10, 1992 ELF POINT CAMP, AK N21424 Incident substantial THE PILOT MISJUDGED CLEARANCE AND DRAGGED AN EXTERNAL LOAD LONGLINE CABLE WHILE LANDING.
Aug 25, 1992 FAIRBANKS, AK N83139 Incident substantial
POOR MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION PROCEDURES BY THE CONTRACT MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL, AS WELL AS IMPROPER MAINTENANCE AND INSTALLATION OF THE FUEL LINE BY…

POOR MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION PROCEDURES BY THE CONTRACT MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL, AS WELL AS IMPROPER MAINTENANCE AND INSTALLATION OF THE FUEL LINE BY THE CONTRACT MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE TURBOSHAFT ENGINE VIBRATIONS AND THE CRACKED FUEL LINE(S).

Jun 21, 1992 PONCA CITY, OK N66LR Incident substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN MAIN ROTOR RPM. A FACTOR WAS THE CONTAMINATED FUEL.
Apr 01, 1992 KAAAWA, HI N3200N Incident substantial AN ENGINE FLAME OUT DUE TO THE PILOT'S INTENTIONAL FLIGHT THROUGH AN IRRIGATION SPRINKLER SYSTEM WATER STREAM IN ORDER TO WASH THE HELICOPTER.
Mar 05, 1992 SABINE PASS #18, N41791 Incident THE PILOT'S CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE.
Mar 03, 1992 FALFURRIAS, TX N3201R Incident substantial
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DUE TO HIS ABILITY TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BEING RESTRICTED. FACTORS WERE THE OBSE…

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DUE TO HIS ABILITY TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BEING RESTRICTED. FACTORS WERE THE OBSERVER'S DELAY IN INFORMING THE PILOT OF THE REARWARD DRIFT AND THE DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS.

Mar 02, 1992 GLENBROOK, NV N59613 Incident substantial FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO FOLLOW THE HELICOPTER'S PERFORMANCE DATA WHILE TRANSLATING OUT OF TRANSLATIONAL LIFT TO AND OUT OF GROUND EFFECT.
Feb 26, 1992 GRAND ISLE, N2750F Incident substantial HEAVY SEA STATE DUE TO THE HIGH WINDS. A FACTOR WAS THE POWER LOSS.
Feb 15, 1992 SOUTH PELTO #1, N3120X Incident destroyed
THE PILOT'S INABILITY TO CONTROL THE HELICOPTER DUE TO SPATIAL DISORIENTATION. FACTORS WERE THE FOG AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO RECEIVE A WEATHER BRIEF…

THE PILOT'S INABILITY TO CONTROL THE HELICOPTER DUE TO SPATIAL DISORIENTATION. FACTORS WERE THE FOG AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO RECEIVE A WEATHER BRIEFING PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT.

Dec 12, 1991 CHARLOTTE, NC N206CM Incident substantial
THE PILOT IN COMMANDS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN TAILROTOR GROUND CLEARANCE WHILE HOVERING RESULTING IN THE TAIL STRIKING THE GROUND AND THE SUBSEQUENT SEPAR…

THE PILOT IN COMMANDS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN TAILROTOR GROUND CLEARANCE WHILE HOVERING RESULTING IN THE TAIL STRIKING THE GROUND AND THE SUBSEQUENT SEPARATION OF THE TAILROTOR AND GEARBOX.

Dec 10, 1991 ARLINGTON, TX N2770X Incident substantial
THE HELICOPTER'S AUTOROTATIONAL LANDING PERFORMANCE CAPABILITY WAS EXCEEDED. FACTORS WERE THE PROPER DESCENT RATE WAS NOT POSSIBLE FOR THE PIC AND SUF…

THE HELICOPTER'S AUTOROTATIONAL LANDING PERFORMANCE CAPABILITY WAS EXCEEDED. FACTORS WERE THE PROPER DESCENT RATE WAS NOT POSSIBLE FOR THE PIC AND SUFFICIENT INFORMATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT PROVIDED.

Oct 06, 1991 HOLLYWOOD, FL N78CF Incident substantial THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM AND THE FAILURE OF THE CFI TO MONITOR THE CONTROLS.
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