How many accidents has the Bell 206 had?

The NTSB has recorded 1329 events involving the Bell 206: 317 fatal, 192 serious, 242 minor injuries, and 546 incidents with no injuries.

Is the Bell 206 a safe aircraft?

Safety depends on many factors beyond the aircraft model, including pilot training, maintenance, and weather conditions. The Bell 206 has 1329 NTSB-recorded events. Always review individual reports for context — many events involve pilot error or weather, not aircraft defects.

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
Aug 27, 2019	San Diego, CA	N218GH	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain yaw and pitch control while repositioning the helicopter, which resulted in dynamic rollover.
Aug 10, 2019	Vuoggatjålme, SW	SE-JOA	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
May 15, 2019	New York, NY	N26BB	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to compensate for adverse wind on final approach, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness and aircraft control.
Apr 30, 2019	Sabanalarga, CO	HK3321	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Apr 26, 2019	Oakridge, OR	N206JH	Incident	substantial	A total loss of engine power following the failure of a 3rd stage turbine blade due to low- and high-cycle fatigue.
Apr 15, 2019	Dublin, GA	N395AE	Incident	substantial	A partial loss of engine power on takeoff due to separation of the diffuser assembly as a result of incomplete braze joint surfaces on the vane airfoi… A partial loss of engine power on takeoff due to separation of the diffuser assembly as a result of incomplete braze joint surfaces on the vane airfoils.
Apr 12, 2019	Big Pine, FL	N173MS	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control while it was being reloaded with the rotors turning in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a… The pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control while it was being reloaded with the rotors turning in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a rotor strike with ground equipment.
Sep 10, 2018	Bartica, GY	8R-GTR	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Aug 18, 2018	Battle Mountain, NV	N8052G	Incident	destroyed	The pilot's failure to maintain the proper altitude and airspeed while flying in a canyon in gusting wind conditions.
Jul 16, 2018	New Castle, IN	N39LR	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to ensure that the fill hose was disconnected from the helicopter before takeoff, which resulted in the fill hose striking the tai… The pilot's failure to ensure that the fill hose was disconnected from the helicopter before takeoff, which resulted in the fill hose striking the tail rotor and the subsequent loss of tail rotor effectiveness. Contributing to the accident was inadequate communication between the ground crewman and the pilot.
Jul 06, 2018	Bentley, IL	N224KM	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to ensure that adequate fuel was on board for the maneuvering flight, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel s… The pilot's failure to ensure that adequate fuel was on board for the maneuvering flight, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
Jun 17, 2018	Orondo, WA	N2762P	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering at low altitude.
Apr 11, 2018	Vereda Plateado, CO	HK-4776	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Oct 24, 2017	Groom, TX	N60EA	Incident	substantial	The total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to operate the helicopter with minimum fu… The total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to operate the helicopter with minimum fuel on board.
Aug 20, 2017	Minden, NV	N6259C	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control during landing due to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.
Jul 06, 2017	Dixon, KY	N8159J	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to see and avoid power lines while maneuvering at a low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to adequate… The pilot’s failure to see and avoid power lines while maneuvering at a low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to adequately identify hazards to flight during agricultural application operation planning.
Jun 30, 2017	Uniontown, KY	N60KH	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain adequate separation from power lines, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control.
Jun 26, 2017	Entiat, WA	N183TC	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to secure a loose item inside the cockpit that interfered with antitorque pedal control and led to a loss of helicopter control du… The pilot’s failure to secure a loose item inside the cockpit that interfered with antitorque pedal control and led to a loss of helicopter control due to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.
Apr 06, 2017	La Verne, CA	N206SA	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s early increased application of the collective during a simulated hovering autorotation, which resulted in a loss of rotor rpm and subseque… The pilot’s early increased application of the collective during a simulated hovering autorotation, which resulted in a loss of rotor rpm and subsequent main rotor blade strike of the tailboom.
Mar 01, 2017	Firebaugh, CA	N211CS	Incident	substantial	A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the improper calibration of the fuel quantity gauge, which led t… A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the improper calibration of the fuel quantity gauge, which led the pilot to believe that there was adequate fuel onboard.
Sep 12, 2016	Rockport, WA	N6181A	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control while on the ground, which resulted in mast bumping.
Aug 18, 2016	Broussard, LA	N7898X	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to attain a proper touchdown point, which resulted in the helicopter sliding off the aft end of the transport dolly.
Jun 14, 2016	Bishop, CA	N1076Y	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s improper preflight weather planning, fuel planning, and fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation and a loss of engine power. Con… The pilot’s improper preflight weather planning, fuel planning, and fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation and a loss of engine power. Contributing to the severity of the accident was the pilot's initiation of the landing flare at a high altitude, which led to a subsequent hard landing.
Apr 16, 2016	Baltimore, MD	N326AC	Incident	destroyed	The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind while hovering out of ground effect, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.
Oct 20, 2015	Christmas Island, PO	N1060C	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and the maintenance crew's failure to remove the tie down.

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

Bell 206 Safety Record

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