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
Feb 03, 1996	CUSHING, OK	N2184Z	Serious (1)	—	The inadvertent deployment of the passenger's parachute as a result of his failure to follow proper procedures and deactivate the automatic opening de… The inadvertent deployment of the passenger's parachute as a result of his failure to follow proper procedures and deactivate the automatic opening device on the parachute.
Feb 01, 1996	KAMUELA, HI	N90194	Incident	substantial	failure of the nose case (No.1) bearing resulting in oil starvation.
Jan 20, 1996	EXUMA, BF	N87JH	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
Jan 11, 1996	POMPANO BEACH, FL	N33HF	Incident	substantial	IMPROPER FLARE BY THE RATED STUDENT PILOT, AND INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR.
Sep 28, 1995	INDIANAPOLIS, IN	N28SJ	Minor	substantial	The pilot not maintaining adequate terrain clearance during his maneuvering exercise and his abrupt lowering of the collective. A factor associated w… The pilot not maintaining adequate terrain clearance during his maneuvering exercise and his abrupt lowering of the collective. A factor associated with the accident was the pilot's lack of experience.
Sep 22, 1995	CULEBRA, PR	N2280N	Serious (3)	destroyed	the failure of company maintenance personnel to insure the tail rotor gearbox attach bolts were properly torqued.
Sep 20, 1995	WARE, IL	N2777W	Minor	substantial	the pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter. A factor in the accident was the pilot's inadvertent VFR flight into IMC conditions.
Sep 20, 1995	IRVINE, CA	N700TH	Fatal (1)	destroyed	the pilot's intentional VFR flight into IMC conditions and failure to maintain an adequate terrain clearance altitude, and the local controller's impr… the pilot's intentional VFR flight into IMC conditions and failure to maintain an adequate terrain clearance altitude, and the local controller's improper use of ATC procedure/technique. Factors in the accident were the helicopter's low fuel state and lack of the required equipment for IFR flight.
Sep 10, 1995	GLENNALLEN, AK	N84TA	Serious	destroyed	The pilot's improper in-flight planing/decision and inadequate supervision of the passenger, which allowed the helicopter's lateral center-of-gravity … The pilot's improper in-flight planing/decision and inadequate supervision of the passenger, which allowed the helicopter's lateral center-of-gravity to be exceeded. Factors relating to the accident were: pressure (compelling influence) on the pilot and passenger that was induced by the need to rescue the stranded pilot from a life threatening situation, high winds, and large waves.
Sep 07, 1995	CASTLE ROCK, WA	N62W	Incident	substantial	sabotage by a hunter (shooting at the helicopter with a crossbow).
Aug 30, 1995	JOHNSONDALE, CA	N3886J	Fatal (2)	destroyed	the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate obstacle clearance altitude while operating at a very low level. The aircraft's lack of wire cutters was … the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate obstacle clearance altitude while operating at a very low level. The aircraft's lack of wire cutters was a factor in this accident.
Aug 28, 1995	CARMEL VALLEY, CA	N206MT	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate clearance from obstructions while hovering.
Aug 27, 1995	OKLAHOMA CITY, OK	N2070Z	Incident	substantial	THE FAILURE OF THE LOW SIDE OF THE TURBINE GOVERNOR. A FACTOR THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.
Aug 18, 1995	BINGHAM, ME	N16915	Minor	destroyed	the pilot's inadequate landing flare resulting in a hard landing and roll over, and a subsequent collision with trees.
Aug 15, 1995	IMMOKALEE, FL	N193JB	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper use of the cyclic during a power-on autorotative landing (low flare), resulting in the ventral fin colliding with the ground.
Jul 26, 1995	TALKEETNA, AK	N85CA	Minor	substantial	THE INADVERTENT RESTRICTION OF THE ANTI-TORQUE PEDAL BY THE PILOT'S FOOT, WHILE THE PILOT (AN INCOMPLETE PARAPLEGIC) WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND.
Jul 22, 1995	BORGER, TX	N111JA	Fatal (1)	destroyed	THE PILOT'S LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO AN ENCOUNTER WITH A DUST DEVIL/WHIRLWIND AND THE TURBULENCE AND HIGH WIND ASSOCIATED WITH THUNDERSTORM OUTFLOW.
Jul 21, 1995	BETTLES, AK	N58129	Incident	substantial	FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ENSURING THE SLING CABLE WAS FREE OF THE SKID BEFORE LIFTING OFF INTO A HOVER, WHICH ALLOWED THE CABLE TO BECOME WRAPPED (ENTA… FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ENSURING THE SLING CABLE WAS FREE OF THE SKID BEFORE LIFTING OFF INTO A HOVER, WHICH ALLOWED THE CABLE TO BECOME WRAPPED (ENTANGLED) AROUND THE SKID.
Jul 17, 1995	WEST CAMERON,	N57536	Incident	substantial	THE DISCONNECT OF THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S INABILITY TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, AND THE LA… THE DISCONNECT OF THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S INABILITY TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, AND THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.
Jul 06, 1995	NEW YORK, NY	N206GS	Incident	substantial	The pilot' inadequate preflight inspection. A factor was the pilot's diverted attention.
Jun 02, 1995	MEEKER, CO	N85RP	Incident	substantial	FAILURE BY THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING LANDING. A FACTOR WAS SOFT TERRAIN.
May 04, 1995	HAMILTON, MA	N219CT	Incident	substantial	the pilot's improper decision to fly at night with a night vision deficiency, and his failure to maintain clearance with trees during takeoff, which r… the pilot's improper decision to fly at night with a night vision deficiency, and his failure to maintain clearance with trees during takeoff, which resulted in an in-flight collision with the trees and the subsequent hard landing.
May 02, 1995	VENICE, LA	N347AL	Fatal (1)	destroyed	LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO INGESTION OF EXHAUST FUMES FROM AN OIL PLATFORM FLARE BOOM.
Apr 26, 1995	THERMAL, CA	N6197N	Incident	substantial	The CFI's failure to follow the flight manual procedures by using full up collective during an autorotation landing.
Apr 23, 1995	RICHFIELD, UT	N206AH	Incident	substantial	ICE INGESTION. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: AIRCRAFT PROTECTIVE COVERINGS WERE UNAVAILABLE, INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION, AND UNEVEN TERRAIN.

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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