Bell 205 Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 32 events recorded from 1983 to 2024.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 24, 2011 | San Clemente, CI | CC-CID | Fatal (1) | destroyed | Investigation pending |
| Jul 23, 2007 | Happy Camp, CA | N205BR | Fatal (1) | destroyed |
the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the trees during a long-line operation. Contributing factors were the Forest Service's inadequate comm…the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the trees during a long-line operation. Contributing factors were the Forest Service's inadequate communication between crews, failure to properly assess the safety of the intended drop zone, reduced visibility to the right side of the helicopter, and the trees. |
| Aug 11, 2004 | Leavenworth, WA | N205XP | Fatal (1) | destroyed |
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the snag while hovering out of ground effect during an external load operation. Factors were the smoke…The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the snag while hovering out of ground effect during an external load operation. Factors were the smoke jumper's misjudgment of the tree heights in the area, which resulted in the use of too short a long line, and their failure to communicate with the pilot about the tall snag. |
| Jun 24, 2004 | Tschagguns, AU | OE-XHK | Fatal (1) | destroyed | Investigation pending |
| Mar 23, 1998 | LOS ANGELES, CA | N90230 | Fatal (4) | destroyed |
An excessive bending load applied to the tail rotor blade assembly of an undetermined origin which produced a fatigue crack, the separation of the ass…An excessive bending load applied to the tail rotor blade assembly of an undetermined origin which produced a fatigue crack, the separation of the assembly, and a forced landing. Factors were the lack of suitable terrain to perform a forced landing, the manufacturer's unclear maintenance bulletin instruction and procedures which facilitated the operator's inadequate inspection for the yoke's straightness, and the inadequacy of restraint systems and protective equipment. |
| Sep 12, 1997 | SEQUIM, WA | N90HJ | Fatal (3) | destroyed | the pilot's intentional flight into known adverse weather conditions in mountainous terrain. |
| Mar 15, 1997 | LOFSSJON, SW | HSX | Fatal | — | Investigation pending |
| Apr 20, 1990 | MONCKS CORNER, SC | N67HJ | Fatal (1) | destroyed |
THE IN-FLIGHT SEPARATION OF THE MAIN ROTOR BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE OF A PILLOW BLOCK BOLT, AND THE FAILURE OF THE OPERATOR/REPAIR STATION TO FOLLOW THE…THE IN-FLIGHT SEPARATION OF THE MAIN ROTOR BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE OF A PILLOW BLOCK BOLT, AND THE FAILURE OF THE OPERATOR/REPAIR STATION TO FOLLOW THE OVERHAUL PROCEDURES. |
| Feb 07, 1990 | WRANGELL, AK | CGNMJ | Fatal (6) | destroyed |
THE PILOT'S CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC), AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DUE TO SPATIAL D…THE PILOT'S CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC), AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DUE TO SPATIAL DISORIENTATION. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: COMPANY INDUCED PRESSURE TO MAKE THE FLIGHT, THE PILOT'S DECISION TO INITIATE FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, HIS LACK OF INSTRUMENT EXPERIENCE, HIS OVERCONFIDENCE IN HIS PERSONAL ABILITIES, AND THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS. |
| Jan 18, 1985 | NEWHALL, CA | N830V | Fatal (1) | destroyed | Investigation pending |