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
Sep 07, 2000 EUGENE IS 296B, N27680 Serious (1) substantial The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.
Aug 30, 2000 SALINAS, CA N207EH Incident substantial The pilot's inadequate visual surveillance of the worksite to see and avoid power transmission wires.
Aug 29, 2000 LOS ANGELES, CA N5758H Minor substantial
The probable loss of the main rotor tip weight on the red blade for undetermined reasons resulting in main rotor vibration and oscillation. Sideward …

The probable loss of the main rotor tip weight on the red blade for undetermined reasons resulting in main rotor vibration and oscillation. Sideward movement during the ensuing emergency landing resulted in a dynamic rollover.

Aug 24, 2000 NEWHALEM, WA N90307 Incident substantial Debonding between the elastomeric material and the center plate of the transmission isolation mount.
Aug 04, 2000 MONTELLO, NV N10864 Fatal (1) substantial The loss of control in hovering flight and impact with terrain for undetermined reasons.
Aug 04, 2000 BURGERSFORT, SF ZSHKP Fatal (2) Investigation pending
Aug 04, 2000 MARENGO, IL N7JR Serious (1) substantial the simulated autorotation performed by the pilot at too low an altitude and airspeed.
Jul 22, 2000 BENNETTSVILLE, SC N136C Minor substantial
The pilot's failure to use proper remedial action to counteract a loss of tail rotor effectiveness resulting in collision with terrain during the subs…

The pilot's failure to use proper remedial action to counteract a loss of tail rotor effectiveness resulting in collision with terrain during the subsequent uncontrolled descent.

Jul 07, 2000 LOGAN, UT N38903 Incident substantial
in-flight collision with a jacket, which blew out of the helicopter because the left passenger door was not properly secured prior to takeoff. A cont…

in-flight collision with a jacket, which blew out of the helicopter because the left passenger door was not properly secured prior to takeoff. A contributing factor was the pilot's failure to ensure the door was properly closed prior to takeoff.

Jun 19, 2000 DEVILLE, LA N2277T Minor substantial
the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the external load that was setting on the ground while hovering. A contributing factor was the pilot's…

the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the external load that was setting on the ground while hovering. A contributing factor was the pilot's diverted attention.

Jun 08, 2000 BRIDGEPORT, WA N49573 Minor substantial Aircraft control was not maintained. Inadequate remedial action and diverted attention were factors.
May 31, 2000 COCODRIE, LA N7817S Serious (1) substantial the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the platform's safety fence during takeoff.
May 06, 2000 BAILEY, CO N52192 Serious (1) substantial The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter while maneuvering. A factor was the high density altitude weather conditions.
May 06, 2000 ECKERMAN, MI N9TD Minor destroyed
The pilot's failure to attain translational lift following an aborted landing and the loss of tail rotor effectiveness encountered by the pilot. Fact…

The pilot's failure to attain translational lift following an aborted landing and the loss of tail rotor effectiveness encountered by the pilot. Factors to the accident were the low rotor rpm and the trees.

May 05, 2000 Mattawa, CA C-GGUB Fatal (1) destroyed Investigation pending
May 05, 2000 HAINES, AK N49686 Incident substantial The pilot's failure to attain a proper touchdown point.
May 01, 2000 HOMER, AK N301MH Incident substantial
The pilot's misjudging the landing flare in whiteout/flat light conditions. Factors associated with the accident are the whiteout and flat lighting c…

The pilot's misjudging the landing flare in whiteout/flat light conditions. Factors associated with the accident are the whiteout and flat lighting conditions.

Apr 29, 2000 CHASCOMUS, AR N156P Minor substantial Investigation pending
Apr 29, 2000 SALT MARSH, N17237 Incident substantial
The company mechanic's failure to replace the bolt's cotter key properly and the subsequent loss of the nut, which then resulted in the tail rotor con…

The company mechanic's failure to replace the bolt's cotter key properly and the subsequent loss of the nut, which then resulted in the tail rotor control disconnection and the pilot's inability to maintain aircraft control.

Apr 18, 2000 LAKEWOOD, CO N937S Incident substantial
The complete loss of the tail rotor blades due to a fatigue failure of one blade. Factors were sloping and rough uneven terrain for the ensuing force…

The complete loss of the tail rotor blades due to a fatigue failure of one blade. Factors were sloping and rough uneven terrain for the ensuing forced landing.

Apr 18, 2000 GRAND CANYON, AZ N2267N Serious (6) destroyed
A snow ingestion caused loss of engine power due to the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and failure to remove the accumulated snow from the en…

A snow ingestion caused loss of engine power due to the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and failure to remove the accumulated snow from the engine inlet area. Also causal was the pilot's failure to maintain main rotor rpm while maneuvering to avoid power lines directly in his path during the autorotation necessitated by the loss of power. While the failure to maintain proper rotor rpm is listed as causal, the Safety Board acknowledges that the pilot's successful avoidance of the power lines, which required expenditure of rotor energy, likely precluded a more severe accident.

Mar 30, 2000 MANOKOTAK, AK N5006R Incident substantial
The pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Factors in the accident were low ceilings and snow, and snow-covered terr…

The pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Factors in the accident were low ceilings and snow, and snow-covered terrain.

Mar 28, 2000 PUNTARENAS, CS N9GA Incident substantial Investigation pending
Mar 21, 2000 TOLUCA, MX XCJCF Fatal (6) Investigation pending
Mar 20, 2000 BRAZOS 542, N5002E Minor destroyed The pilot's right turn maneuver during low speed resulting in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness and subsequent loss of control.
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