Bell 206 Safety Record

the loss of engine power during cruise flight due to the fatigue fracture of the compressor coupling adapter. A contributing factor was the high sea condition existing for the forced landing.

The pilot's failure to comply with the flight manual regarding the use of an induction system deflector kit (snow baffles) while operating in snow, and the ingestion of foreign material/snow that resulted in an engine flameout while hovering. A snow baffle deflector kit not being installed and snow are factors contributing to the accident.

The manufacturer's use of improper materials, and inadequate quality control of the tail rotor blades during the manufacturing process, which resulted in fatigue failure of the blade.

The company dispatching, and the pilot initiating, flight into known adverse weather with an aircraft which did not have the required anti-ice equipment installed. A factor was snow conditions.

in-flight collision with a jacket, which blew out of the helicopter because the left passenger door was not properly secured prior to takeoff. A contributing factor was the pilot's failure to ensure the door was properly closed prior to takeoff.

The pilot's misjudging the landing flare in whiteout/flat light conditions. Factors associated with the accident are the whiteout and flat lighting conditions.

The company mechanic's failure to replace the bolt's cotter key properly and the subsequent loss of the nut, which then resulted in the tail rotor control disconnection and the pilot's inability to maintain aircraft control.

The complete loss of the tail rotor blades due to a fatigue failure of one blade. Factors were sloping and rough uneven terrain for the ensuing forced landing.

The pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Factors in the accident were low ceilings and snow, and snow-covered terrain.

a forced landing on rough, unsuitable terrain. A contributing factor was the partial loss of engine power, which resulted from improper maintenance by repair station personnel.

The pilot's delay in adding power during a power-on recovery from an autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing and rollover. The flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight was also causal.

The loss of engine power due to the pilot's inadequate preflight, which failed to detect water contamination of the fuel system. The operator's inadequate maintenance of the loose fitting fuel cap and the deformed filler opening, which allowed water to leak into the fuel tank, were also causal. A factor in the accident was the trees along the autorotative flight path, which required the pilot to stretch the glide and resulted in a low main rotor rpm situation for the landing flare.

The inadequate preflight planning/preparation by the pilot, in that the auxiliary power unit cord was not removed. The brick wall was a contributing factor.

The pilot's improper touchdown procedure, resulting in a main rotor blade contacting the tailboom. Factors were the soft and wet terrain conditions, and the loss of engine power due to the spiral fatigue failure of the gas generator turbine shafting due to spline wear.