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
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.
Sep 15, 2005 Elk Point, SD N2995W Incident substantial
The loss of directional control for undetermined reasons which led to the pilot not being able to maintain clearance from the embankment during the fo…

The loss of directional control for undetermined reasons which led to the pilot not being able to maintain clearance from the embankment during the forced landing. The rising embankment was a factor.

Sep 07, 2005 New Orleans, LA N230CA Minor substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control after encountering a loss of tail rotor effectiveness. A contributing factor was the lack of suit…

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control after encountering a loss of tail rotor effectiveness. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain.

Sep 05, 2005 Long Beach, CA N667JM Serious (1) substantial
the pilot's decision not to release the banner when it became entangled on itself, which resulted in the banner tow rope becoming ensnarled with the t…

the pilot's decision not to release the banner when it became entangled on itself, which resulted in the banner tow rope becoming ensnarled with the tail rotor system.

Sep 01, 2005 Myrtle Grove, LA N59539 Minor substantial The pilot's loss of control in flight for undetermined reasons.
Aug 18, 2005 Gulf of Mexico, USA N167H Fatal (2) destroyed The loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's improper fuel calculations.
Aug 17, 2005 Gulf of Mexico, USA N330P Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with a stationary object while landing.
Jul 30, 2005 Jeonnam, KS HL9163 Serious (1) substantial Investigation pending
Jul 26, 2005 Justice, IL N741LL Serious (2) destroyed
The pilot's improper in-flight decision while maneuvering which resulted in a tailwind during low airspeed helicopter flight and subsequent loss of ta…

The pilot's improper in-flight decision while maneuvering which resulted in a tailwind during low airspeed helicopter flight and subsequent loss of tail rotor effectiveness. The struck sign and fence were factors in the accident.

Jul 25, 2005 Balaga, Sarawak, MY 9M-BCT Fatal (3) destroyed Investigation pending
Jul 13, 2005 West Plains, MO N2756A Incident substantial
A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons during the intentional autorotation. The pilot's misjudgment of the touchdown flare leading to a hard…

A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons during the intentional autorotation. The pilot's misjudgment of the touchdown flare leading to a hard landing was an additional cause. A contributing factor was the intentional autorotation.

Jul 12, 2005 San Juan, PR N27VT Incident substantial
The inadequate preflight/planning by the pilot for his initiation of the flight with inadequate fuel supply, and his failure to maintain main rotor rp…

The inadequate preflight/planning by the pilot for his initiation of the flight with inadequate fuel supply, and his failure to maintain main rotor rpm following a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion which resulted in a hard landing.

Jun 25, 2005 Cleveland, OH N1212N Incident substantial
A failure of the main drive shaft for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a total loss of engine power. A factor was pilot's improper flare, whic…

A failure of the main drive shaft for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a total loss of engine power. A factor was pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing.

Jun 24, 2005 Algonac, MI N311JX Minor substantial
The pilot not maintaining helicopter control, the loss of tail rotor effectiveness he encountered, and his not maintaining clearance from objects duri…

The pilot not maintaining helicopter control, the loss of tail rotor effectiveness he encountered, and his not maintaining clearance from objects during the approach. Factor were the low altitude, the transmission lines, and the garage.

Jun 14, 2005 New York, NY N78TD Serious (1) substantial
The pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in an attempted takeoff with an overweight helicopter, and subsequent impact with a pier and…

The pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in an attempted takeoff with an overweight helicopter, and subsequent impact with a pier and water. Factors were a high ambient temperature and unfavorable winds.

Jun 12, 2005 Cascade, CO N81EA Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the attempted landing on mountainous terrain. A contributing factor was strong wind gusts dur…

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the attempted landing on mountainous terrain. A contributing factor was strong wind gusts during the attempted landing.

Jun 08, 2005 Moulton Cove, LA N2761X Incident substantial
The loss of engine power due to foreign object ingestion into the compressor. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain (swampy) for the…

The loss of engine power due to foreign object ingestion into the compressor. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain (swampy) for the forced landing.

May 18, 2005 Huffman, TX N276M Serious (3) destroyed The pilot's inadequate preflight and his failure to disconnect the external load cable prior to takeoff.
May 04, 2005 Georgetown, TX N9877Z Incident substantial The pilot's improper flare resulting in a hard landing.
May 02, 2005 Peach Springs, AZ N3895D Incident substantial a loss of power for undetermined reasons.
Apr 30, 2005 Cherokee, NC N66RR Incident substantial The pilot's improper use of the helicopter flight controls during a hover that resulted in a dynamic rollover.
Apr 20, 2005 Coral Springs, FL N2285B Serious (1) substantial The pilot encountered dynamic rollover while lifting off from an area in the everglades with 6-7 foot tall sawgrass nearby.
Mar 26, 2005 Sirnach, SZ HB-XQO Fatal (4) destroyed Investigation pending
Mar 15, 2005 Elim, AK N422R Incident substantial
The pilot's continued flight into adverse weather conditions, and his failure to maintain adequate clearance while maneuvering, which resulted in an i…

The pilot's continued flight into adverse weather conditions, and his failure to maintain adequate clearance while maneuvering, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain. Factors associated with the accident are flat light, whiteout conditions, fog, and snow-covered terrain.

Mar 10, 2005 Shelbyville, TX N85BH Fatal (3) substantial The pilot's failure to maintain altitude and clearance for undetermined reasons.
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