Bell 206 Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 1329 events recorded from 1982 to 2026.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 24, 1998 | REKLAW, TX | N42489 | Minor | substantial |
The pilot's failure to maintain proper alignment in that the external load was not centered during sling operation, which resulted in entanglement of …The pilot's failure to maintain proper alignment in that the external load was not centered during sling operation, which resulted in entanglement of the load with the landing gear, and the loss of aircraft control. |
| 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. |
| 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 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 01, 1997 | WASILLA, AK | N94TA | Minor | substantial | The pilot's inadvertent dynamic rollover during liftoff. Factors associated with the accident were soft terrain and a snagged landing gear skid. |
| Apr 23, 1997 | TRINIDAD, CO | N618DE | Minor | substantial |
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter due to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness. A factor was the tailwind condition and the pilo…The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter due to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness. A factor was the tailwind condition and the pilot's failure to maintain proper airspeed. |
| Mar 04, 1997 | JAMAICA BEACH, TX | N5829D | Minor | destroyed |
The pilot's encounter with instrument meteorological conditions, and his subsequent loss of aircraft control due to the loss of visual cues to detect …The pilot's encounter with instrument meteorological conditions, and his subsequent loss of aircraft control due to the loss of visual cues to detect his height above the water. Factors were the low ceilings and fog, and the loss of tail rotor effectiveness. |
| Nov 01, 1996 | SUPAI, AZ | N90144 | Minor | destroyed |
improper routing of the external cargo hoist cable (over helicopter skid), which resulted in lateral imbalance and roll-over of the helicopter, as wei…improper routing of the external cargo hoist cable (over helicopter skid), which resulted in lateral imbalance and roll-over of the helicopter, as weight on the cable became effective. |
| Sep 13, 1996 | MORGAN CITY, LA | N2654 | Minor | substantial |
The loss of tail rotor control as result of a tail rotor blade strike by an undetermined object. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the fo…The loss of tail rotor control as result of a tail rotor blade strike by an undetermined object. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. |
| Sep 04, 1996 | SHERIDAN, WY | N253EV | Minor | substantial |
the pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision, concerning maneuvers to position the helicopter for aerial application; and inadvertent loss of tail…the pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision, concerning maneuvers to position the helicopter for aerial application; and inadvertent loss of tail rotor effectiveness, which resulted in loss of directional control and subsequent collision with the terrain. Factors relating to the accident include unfavorable weather conditions (high wind, gusts, turbulence, smoke, and high density altitude); the pilot's lack of recent experience in type of operation, and the lack of suitable terrain for a safe autorotation. |
| Mar 18, 1996 | LA GRANDE, OR | N57362 | Minor | substantial | the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with trees after pulling up from an aerial application spray run. |
| Mar 12, 1996 | HOUMA, LA | N115FH | Minor | substantial | the pilot's attempted maneuver which exceeded the dynamic capability of the helicopter. |
| Jan 20, 1996 | EXUMA, BF | N87JH | Minor | substantial | Investigation pending |
| 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 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| May 20, 1994 | UKIAH, CA | N206HS | Minor | destroyed |
the pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing wind conditions which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness event and a subsequent loss …the pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing wind conditions which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness event and a subsequent loss of directional control. |
| May 19, 1994 | ST. PETERSBURG, FL | N72Z | Minor | substantial |
THE FAILURE OF THE NUMBER FIVE BEARING, SHAFT, OR THOMAS COUPLING FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S DE…THE FAILURE OF THE NUMBER FIVE BEARING, SHAFT, OR THOMAS COUPLING FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S DELAYED RESPONSE IN CONDUCTING THE EMERGENCY PROCEDURE BY NOT REDUCING THE THROTTLE TO IDLE POSITION, AND IMMEDIATELY ENTERING AUTOROTATION. |
| Apr 25, 1994 | SUMMERVILLE, OR | N35BL | Minor | destroyed | THE PILOT DID NOT MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE WIRES. THE OVERCAST SKY CONDIITON WAS A FACTOR. |
| Mar 26, 1994 | WRANGELL, AK | N49727 | Minor | destroyed |
THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO ASSURE THAT HE HAD THE PROPER CLEARANCE FROM OBSTRUCTIONS PRIOR TO LANDING ON THE PLATFORM. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT…THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO ASSURE THAT HE HAD THE PROPER CLEARANCE FROM OBSTRUCTIONS PRIOR TO LANDING ON THE PLATFORM. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE HIGH OBSTRUCTION (TREE STRUMP). |
| Mar 10, 1994 | LAKE CHARLES, LA | N57340 | Minor | substantial | THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ADEQUATELY PERFORM A PREFLIGHT. A FACTOR WAS THE SOFT TERRAIN. |
| Feb 26, 1994 | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | N2752U | Minor | substantial | THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A LANDING SITE. FACTORS INCLUDE SNOW COVERED TERRAIN. |