Bell 206 Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 1329 events recorded from 1982 to 2026.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| Apr 02, 1998 | ROUND TOP, TX | N7734A | Fatal (1) | destroyed | The pilot's attempted VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing factors were fog, low ceilings, and trees. |
| Mar 24, 1998 | RIO HONDO, TX | TGJET | Fatal (2) | destroyed | The engine compartment fire due to undetermined reasons, which resulted in the in-flight separation of the tailboom. |
| 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). |
| Jan 07, 1998 | POOLER, GA | N333FC | Minor | substantial |
The pilot's failure to maintain a safe altitude and a visual lookout while operating under a special visual flight rules clearance in instrument fligh…The pilot's failure to maintain a safe altitude and a visual lookout while operating under a special visual flight rules clearance in instrument flight rule conditions, which resulted in the helicopter colliding with trees. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to obtain an adequate weather briefing for conditions at his destination, his continued visual flight rules into instrument flight rule conditions, and his failure to reset the altimeter to the current setting. |
| Dec 18, 1997 | RESERVE, NM | N124DA | Serious (2) | substantial | The pilot's inadvertent loss of tail rotor effectiveness. A factor was the high density altitude weather condition. |
| 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. |
| Oct 12, 1997 | SAGO, WV | N911RH | Fatal (4) | destroyed | The improper overhaul of the turbine governor by the manufacturer, which resulted in the loss of power. |
| Oct 02, 1997 | NEW IBERIA, LA | N2163Y | Minor | substantial | improper touchdown by the flight instructor. A related factor was: soft sod in the touchdown/landing area. |
| Sep 25, 1997 | ANAHUAC, TX | N59396 | Serious (1) | destroyed |
the pilot's inability to maintain control of the helicopter after encountering a dynamic rollover due to entanglement of the external load cable with …the pilot's inability to maintain control of the helicopter after encountering a dynamic rollover due to entanglement of the external load cable with the left landing gear skid. |
| 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. |
| Sep 20, 1997 | HOUMA, LA | N210PH | Minor | substantial | The loss of aircraft control resulting from a bird strike that severed the cyclic flight control. |
| Sep 09, 1997 | MINDEN, NV | N90115 | Minor | substantial |
A hard landing due to the failure of the pilot to adequately compensate for the wind direction and velocity on initiating his approach to the landing …A hard landing due to the failure of the pilot to adequately compensate for the wind direction and velocity on initiating his approach to the landing area, resulting in a loss of tail rotor authority. |
| Sep 08, 1997 | NAPA, CA | N770GG | Minor | substantial | Failure of the pilot to perform an adequate preflight, which resulted in him failing to notice and release the tie down chains. |
| Aug 23, 1997 | OAK GROVE, LA | N7929J | Incident | substantial |
The disconnect of the #5 tail rotor drive segment due to the debonding of the joint between the shaft tube and the flange fitting. Factors were the i…The disconnect of the #5 tail rotor drive segment due to the debonding of the joint between the shaft tube and the flange fitting. Factors were the improper bead blasting of the tail rotor drive segment by an unknown maintenance personnel, and the lack of altitude and suitable terrain for the forced landing. |
| Aug 21, 1997 | ARICA, PE | N2246Q | Fatal (3) | — | Investigation pending |