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
Jan 05, 2000 BRUTUS, NY N206GR Incident substantial Was the pilot's failure to maintain directional control after encountering a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.
Dec 05, 1999 SHIP SHOAL 225, N600CK Serious (1) substantial The loss of power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the rough water condition.
Dec 01, 1999 CABINDA, AO N5005B Fatal (1) Investigation pending
Nov 24, 1999 RIFLE, CO N617DE Incident substantial
a forced landing on rough, unsuitable terrain. A contributing factor was the partial loss of engine power, which resulted from improper maintenance b…

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.

Nov 17, 1999 NEIHART, MT N519EH Incident substantial Clearance from an object was not maintained. Gusting wind conditions was a factor.
Nov 17, 1999 SEATTLE, WA N206AC Minor substantial Adequate separation and lookout not maintained by the pilots of both aircraft.
Nov 01, 1999 COTTAGE GROVE, MN N565KS Fatal (2) destroyed Undetermined.
Oct 23, 1999 SANTA CLARITA, CA N36R Incident substantial
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 instruct…

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.

Oct 18, 1999 SODA SPRINGS, CA N2296N Minor substantial The failure of the pilot-in-command to maintain landing skid clearance during hover taxi, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.
Oct 14, 1999 LOS ANGELES, CA N16889 Serious (3) substantial
**This report was modified on 2/23/2016. Please refer to the public docket for this accident for additional information.** The pilot-in-command's e…

**This report was modified on 2/23/2016. Please refer to the public docket for this accident for additional information.** The pilot-in-command's excessive rate of descent and improper use of the collective control, which resulted in a low rotor rpm condition.

Oct 13, 1999 QUETZALTENANGO, GT TGAMA Fatal (2) Investigation pending
Oct 07, 1999 APACHE JUNCTION, AZ N6624N Incident substantial Oil starvation and seizure of the engines Nos. 6 and 7 bearings due to a clogged oil jet, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.
Oct 07, 1999 SLATON, TX N21166 Incident substantial The pilot's initiation of the simulated emergency procedure at a low altitude.
Oct 05, 1999 CENTREVILLE, AL N1285S Fatal (2) destroyed
The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the helicopter's fuel system resulting in an in-flight loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a…

The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the helicopter's fuel system resulting in an in-flight loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of overboard porting of fuel when the airframe fuel filter was left in the 'drain and locked' position and the subsequent collision with trees during an attempted autorotation.

Sep 22, 1999 RANDOLPH, NY N17SP Serious (2) substantial The pilot's failure to maintain visual separation from the wires. A factor was sunglare.
Sep 09, 1999 NEKOOSA, WI N4010G Minor substantial the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind gusts. Factors were the wind gusts and the two vehicles parked nearby.
Sep 01, 1999 DELHI, CA N59551 Incident substantial
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 inade…

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.

Aug 26, 1999 MAIN PASS 225A, N6610E Serious (1) substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the helicopter. A factor was the tailwind condition.
Aug 10, 1999 CUSTER, SD N67JJ Fatal (2) destroyed
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance from the trees. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadvertent settling with po…

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance from the trees. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadvertent settling with power.

Aug 10, 1999 CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO N810F Incident substantial
The inadequate preflight planning/preparation by the pilot, in that the auxiliary power unit cord was not removed. The brick wall was a contributing …

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.

Jul 08, 1999 DEADHORSE, AK N47122 Incident substantial A failure of the pilot-in-command to perform an adequate preflight inspection, and remove a rotor blade tie-down strap.
Jul 06, 1999 WOODBRIDGE, NJ N4NJ Minor substantial The pilot's improper takeoff procedure, which resulted in a loss of tailrotor effectiveness.
Jun 17, 1999 TINICUM, PA N94WF Minor substantial The pilot's failure to maintain a proper altitude above the water.
Jun 09, 1999 JUNEAU, AK N265AH Minor substantial
The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing/takeoff area, and his failure to maintain clearance from terrain. Factors associated with the accident …

The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing/takeoff area, and his failure to maintain clearance from terrain. Factors associated with the accident are the confined/congested landing/takeoff area, and rocks/boulders in the takeoff area.

Jun 01, 1999 VENICE, LA N7131U Incident substantial
The pilot's improper touchdown procedure, resulting in a main rotor blade contacting the tailboom. Factors were the soft and wet terrain conditions, …

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.

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