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
Jun 12, 2009 Justin, TX N43791 Incident substantial The instructor pilot's failure to add sufficient power early enough to compensate for the strong gusting headwinds.
Apr 17, 2009 West Palm Beach, FL N25PM Incident substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during taxi, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.
Apr 08, 2009 Vick, TX N295AE Incident minor Undetermined.
Mar 29, 2009 Abilene, TX N708M Incident minor
The formation and propagation of a fatigue crack in the trailing edge of the main rotor blade due to interconnected porosity and resultant corrosion. …

The formation and propagation of a fatigue crack in the trailing edge of the main rotor blade due to interconnected porosity and resultant corrosion. The area of interconnected porosity was due to a manufacturing defect which was not detected during the manufacturing process.

Mar 25, 2009 Kahramanmaras City, TU TC-HEK Fatal (6) destroyed Investigation pending
Mar 17, 2009 Springfield, IL N595AE Incident minor The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the parked helicopter.
Mar 08, 2009 Moundridge, KS N863H Fatal (1) substantial Inflight collision with terrain for undetermined reasons.
Mar 04, 2009 St. Maarten, NT N83086 Incident substantial None.
Mar 02, 2009 Galliano, LA N410RL Incident substantial
The failure of the tail rotor driveshaft and coupling during engine start due to the mechanic's failure to properly reattach the tail rotor driveshaft…

The failure of the tail rotor driveshaft and coupling during engine start due to the mechanic's failure to properly reattach the tail rotor driveshaft and coupling during maintenance.

Dec 11, 2008 Sabine Pass, TX N180AL Fatal (5) destroyed
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the water. Contributing to the accident was the inadvertent encounter with instrument meteorological co…

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the water. Contributing to the accident was the inadvertent encounter with instrument meteorological conditions.

Nov 24, 2008 Vetas, CO HK4361 Fatal (3) substantial None.
Nov 11, 2008 Boynton Beach, FL N281CB Minor substantial A loss of engine power due to an undertorqued air line fitting to the fuel control.
Oct 13, 2008 Conroe, TX N6ZV Fatal (2) destroyed A loss of control for undetermined reasons.
Oct 10, 2008 Cougar, WA N206CH Serious (1) substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance between his external load and trees while maneuvering. Contributing to the accident were hilly terrain and …

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance between his external load and trees while maneuvering. Contributing to the accident were hilly terrain and trees.

Sep 27, 2008 Woods Landing-Jelm, WY N59611 Serious (1) substantial
The pilot's encounter with a loss of tail rotor effectiveness event and his failure to maintain directional control while maneuvering. Contributing t…

The pilot's encounter with a loss of tail rotor effectiveness event and his failure to maintain directional control while maneuvering. Contributing to the accident were the tailwind condition and the sloping, uneven terrain.

Sep 25, 2008 Douglas Camp, PP P2-HBC Fatal (1) substantial Investigation pending
Sep 09, 2008 Eutaw, AL N206WA Incident substantial The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection.
Aug 31, 2008 Greensburg, IN N37AE Fatal (3) destroyed
The in-flight separation of a main rotor blade due to a fatigue failure of the blade spar, rendering the helicopter uncontrollable, and the manufactur…

The in-flight separation of a main rotor blade due to a fatigue failure of the blade spar, rendering the helicopter uncontrollable, and the manufacturer's production of main rotor blades with latent manufacturing defects, which precipitated the fatigue failure of the blade spar.

Aug 22, 2008 Barnesville, PA N67AR Serious (2) substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter during the low-speed, low-altitude maneuver which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effective…

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter during the low-speed, low-altitude maneuver which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.

Aug 11, 2008 Heber Springs, AR N832AH Incident substantial
the improper installation of the PC line on the engine which resulted in a partial loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the trees e…

the improper installation of the PC line on the engine which resulted in a partial loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the trees encountered during the forced landing.

Jun 08, 2008 Philadelphia, PA N94PD Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during hover, which resulted in an inadvertent impact with the ground.
May 09, 2008 Muanda, CF N5014V Fatal (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Apr 27, 2008 Murietta, CA N526DL Incident substantial
The flight instructor's inadequate supervision and delayed remedial action. A contributing factor to the accident was the dual student's improper flar…

The flight instructor's inadequate supervision and delayed remedial action. A contributing factor to the accident was the dual student's improper flare.

Mar 11, 2008 Oxnard, CA N7028J Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with terrain during an aerial application.
Mar 04, 2008 Nikolai, AK N404EH Minor substantial
The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and an inadvertent loss of tail rotor effectiveness while maneuvering. A factor contributing…

The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and an inadvertent loss of tail rotor effectiveness while maneuvering. A factor contributing to the accident was wind gusts.

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