How many accidents has the Bell 206b3 had?

The NTSB has recorded 29 events involving the Bell 206b3: 5 fatal, 4 serious, 5 minor injuries, and 13 incidents with no injuries.

Is the Bell 206b3 a safe aircraft?

Safety depends on many factors beyond the aircraft model, including pilot training, maintenance, and weather conditions. The Bell 206b3 has 29 NTSB-recorded events. Always review individual reports for context — many events involve pilot error or weather, not aircraft defects.

Bell 206b3 Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 29 events recorded from 1985 to 2011.

All Events

Incidents

Minor

Serious

Fatal (15 fatalities)

Date	Location	Reg#	Severity	Damage	Probable Cause
May 27, 2011	Glendale, AZ	N59383	Incident	substantial	The certified flight instructor's failure to maintain adequate main rotor RPM during the autorotation.
Jan 15, 2011	Three Forks, MT	N78BR	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s inadequate use of throttle during the practice autorotation that resulted in a hard landing.
Sep 05, 2007	Lakeland, FL	N267MW	Incident	substantial	The failure of company maintenance personnel to replace the tail rotor drive shafts following tail rotor blade damage in 1999, the failure of maintena… The failure of company maintenance personnel to replace the tail rotor drive shafts following tail rotor blade damage in 1999, the failure of maintenance personnel to replace the tail rotor drive shafts in 2004, following their knowledge that the tail rotor blades and hub were scrapped due to tail rotor blade damage, and improper inspection and return to service by an FAA approved repair station for their failure to condemn the tail rotor drive shafts in 2004, all of which resulted in failure of the No. 5 tail rotor drive shaft during approach for landing.
Sep 23, 2005	Titusville, FL	N39MK	Incident	substantial	The flight instructor's improper flare resulting in a hard landing and main rotor contact with tail boom.
Nov 13, 2004	Eureka, UT	N130JH	Incident	substantial	the pilot's improper in-flight planning and decision making and failure to maintain obstacle clearance, resulting in contact with a power transmission… the pilot's improper in-flight planning and decision making and failure to maintain obstacle clearance, resulting in contact with a power transmission line. Contributing factors include the intentional low-level maneuver, the power transmission line, and the pilot's inadequate visual lookout.
Aug 24, 2004	Panama City, FL	N107PH	Incident	substantial	Inadequate maintenance inspection resulting in the partial loss of engine power due to a loose pneumatic line on the governor and ditching of the he… Inadequate maintenance inspection resulting in the partial loss of engine power due to a loose pneumatic line on the governor and ditching of the helicopter.
Jul 02, 2003	Lansing, IL	N52L	Incident	substantial	The dynamic rollover encountered by the pilot. Factors were the inadequate remedial action by the pilot due to his failure to prevent the rollover, a… The dynamic rollover encountered by the pilot. Factors were the inadequate remedial action by the pilot due to his failure to prevent the rollover, and the inadequate facility with regard to the design of the landing platform.
Jan 29, 1995	NEACON, NU	N59556	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
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.
Apr 21, 1990	WILLIAMSPORT, AK	N1075G	Incident	substantial	THE MANUFACTURER'S INADEQUATE PART DESIGN AND THE IMPROPER MAINTENANCE TECHNIQUES BY THE OPERATOR.
Jun 26, 1988	MISSOULA, MT	N2754A	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Mar 10, 1986	LIVENGOOD, AK	N9AT	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending

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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Bell 206b3 Safety Record

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