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
May 30, 1989 LEWISTON, ID N2756Y Incident substantial A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING.
May 25, 1989 CAMP VERDE, AZ N49608 Fatal (1) destroyed
FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE TO CLEAR OBSTRUCTIONS IN HIS FLIGHT PATH AND VISUALLY DETECT OBSTRUCTIONS IN ORDER TO AVERT A COLLI…

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE TO CLEAR OBSTRUCTIONS IN HIS FLIGHT PATH AND VISUALLY DETECT OBSTRUCTIONS IN ORDER TO AVERT A COLLISION.

May 17, 1989 LEWISTON, ID N5013C Minor substantial
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE HELICOPTER'S FLIGHT CONTROLS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF THE EXTERNAL LOAD CHARACTER…

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE HELICOPTER'S FLIGHT CONTROLS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF THE EXTERNAL LOAD CHARACTERISTICS.

Apr 27, 1989 BEDMINSTER, NJ N273E Minor substantial OFF AIRPORT LANDING IN UNSUITABLE TERRAIN DUE TO AN UNDETERMINED POWER LOSS.
Apr 17, 1989 OCHOPEE, FL N2210W Minor destroyed Investigation pending
Apr 12, 1989 AIRVILLE, PA N157P Fatal (2) destroyed THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO SEE AND AVOID THE UNMARKED POWER LINES STRETCHED ACROSS THE RIVER. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF VISUAL CLUES.
Apr 05, 1989 WEST CAMERON, N5004L Incident substantial
INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE/INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT FUEL SYSTEM BY COMPANY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL AND FUEL CONTAMINATION, WHICH RESULTED IN A PARTIAL LOS…

INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE/INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT FUEL SYSTEM BY COMPANY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL AND FUEL CONTAMINATION, WHICH RESULTED IN A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. RELATED FACTORS WERE: A BINDING (STUCK) FUEL FILTER CAP BYPASS VALVE AND PARTIAL FAILURE (INTERMITTENT OPERATION) OF THE RESPECTIVE ANNUNCIATOR LIGHT SYSTEM.

Apr 05, 1989 PARK CITY, UT N16733 Incident substantial
AN ENCOUNTER WITH STRONG DOWN-SLOPE WINDS AND GUSTS DURING A CRITIACAL PHASE OF FLIGHT WHICH CAUSED POWER REQUIRED TO EXCEED POWER AVAILABLE. CONTRIBU…

AN ENCOUNTER WITH STRONG DOWN-SLOPE WINDS AND GUSTS DURING A CRITIACAL PHASE OF FLIGHT WHICH CAUSED POWER REQUIRED TO EXCEED POWER AVAILABLE. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE DOWNHILL TERRAIN AND THE DOWNDRAFT CONDITIONS.

Mar 22, 1989 ATLANTA, GA N5004F Serious (1) substantial
FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE SPUR ADAPTER GEARSHAFT IN AN AREA WHERE THERE WAS A LACK OF LUBRICATION (OIL STARVATION) DUE TO A PARTIALLY BLOCKED OIL …

FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE SPUR ADAPTER GEARSHAFT IN AN AREA WHERE THERE WAS A LACK OF LUBRICATION (OIL STARVATION) DUE TO A PARTIALLY BLOCKED OIL DELIVERY TUBE. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: INATTENTIVE MAINTENANCE OR SERVICING OF THE AIRCRAFT BY UNKNOWN MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL, THE LIGHT CONDITIONS AT DUSK, AND THE ELECTRICAL (TRANSMISSION) WIRE.

Mar 16, 1989 CORONA, CA N131AT Incident substantial
IMPROPER OPERATION OF THE CYCLIC BY THE STUDENT PILOT, FAILURE OF THE STUDENT TO RELINQUISH CONTROL AND INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTO…

IMPROPER OPERATION OF THE CYCLIC BY THE STUDENT PILOT, FAILURE OF THE STUDENT TO RELINQUISH CONTROL AND INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR.

Feb 23, 1989 HARDING TWNP, NJ N5754J Incident substantial
THE PILOTS ATTEMPT TO CONDUCT THE FLIGHT WITH LESS THAN REQUIRED FUEL RESULTING IN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND SUBSEQUENT DAMAGE TO THE HELICOPTER WHILE …

THE PILOTS ATTEMPT TO CONDUCT THE FLIGHT WITH LESS THAN REQUIRED FUEL RESULTING IN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND SUBSEQUENT DAMAGE TO THE HELICOPTER WHILE PERFORMING AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING.

Jan 09, 1989 S. TIMBALIER 75, GM N27555 Minor destroyed THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER DUE TO AN UNDETERMINED FAILURE OF THE TAIL ROTOR CONTROL SYSTEM.
Jan 08, 1989 PARK CITY, UT N16733 Incident substantial THE SELECTION OF AN UNSUITABLE LANDING SITE BY THE PILOT, RESULTING IN TAIL ROTOR CONTACT WITH THE TERRAIN AND SHEARING OF THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVESHAFT.
Jan 04, 1989 ORLANDO, FL N1410C Fatal (1) Investigation pending
Jan 03, 1989 S.TIMBALIER 151, N22704 Minor destroyed
A COLLISION BETWEEN THE AIRCRAFT AND THE PLATFORM DURING THE EMERGENCY AUTOROTATION WHICH CAUSED THE LEFT SKID AND FLOAT TO SEPARATE AND DESTABILIZED …

A COLLISION BETWEEN THE AIRCRAFT AND THE PLATFORM DURING THE EMERGENCY AUTOROTATION WHICH CAUSED THE LEFT SKID AND FLOAT TO SEPARATE AND DESTABILIZED THE AUTOROTATION. THE COLLISION WAS PROBABLY UNADOIDABLE DUE TO THE MANEUVER THAT WAS BEING CONDUCTED AT THE ONSET OF THE EMERGENCY. THE EMERGENCY LANDING WAS ATTEMPTED FOLLOWING AN ENGINE FAILURE THAT WAS THE RESULT OF A TOTAL COMPRESSOR FAILURE. THE COMPRESSOR FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE SIXTH STAGE WHEEL WHICH SEPARATED. THE FAILURE WAS INITIATED DUE TO A CASTING INCLUSION IN THE WHEEL WHICH WAS NOT DETECTED DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS.

Dec 22, 1988 CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO N119CG Fatal (3) destroyed Investigation pending
Dec 21, 1988 OAKLAND, CA N1072S Fatal (1) destroyed
PILOTS INTENTIONAL FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITITIONS FROM WHICH HE INADVERTENTLY DESCENDED INTO THE WATER AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. CONTRI…

PILOTS INTENTIONAL FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITITIONS FROM WHICH HE INADVERTENTLY DESCENDED INTO THE WATER AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN A WEATHER BRIEFING; LACK OF RECENT INSTRUMENT FLYING EXPERIENCE; OVERCONFIDENT IN HIS OWN ABILITY TO CONDUCT A SAFE FLIGHT IN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

Dec 18, 1988 LINWOOD, KS N5012J Minor substantial POOR IN-FLIGHT PLANNING AND DECISION, INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT, AND CLEARANCE NOT ATTAINED BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND.
Dec 02, 1988 PINSON, AL N3TV Incident substantial Investigation pending
Nov 23, 1988 CHALMETTE, LA N83109 Incident substantial
THE RATED PILOT'S INADEQUATE TAKEOFF TECHNIQUE THE THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT'S MOMENTARY LACK OF JUDGEMENT IN HAVING THE PILOT ATTEMPT A HYDRAULICS OFF TAK…

THE RATED PILOT'S INADEQUATE TAKEOFF TECHNIQUE THE THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT'S MOMENTARY LACK OF JUDGEMENT IN HAVING THE PILOT ATTEMPT A HYDRAULICS OFF TAKEOFF.

Nov 17, 1988 GULF-OF-MEXICO, GM N2780W Serious (3) substantial ENGINE FAILURE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS AND THE PILOT MISJUDGING HIS ALTITUDE DURING THE FLARE RESULTING IN A HARD LANDING.
Nov 10, 1988 ST. THOMAS, N16619 Minor substantial Investigation pending
Oct 30, 1988 BROWNSVILLE, TX N2092U Incident minor UNCONTAINED ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO THE THERMAL FATIGUE OF THE FIRST STAGE TRUBINE WHEEL.
Oct 19, 1988 DECKERS, CO N99TV Fatal (2) destroyed Investigation pending
Oct 16, 1988 WALLINGFORD, CT N555GC Serious (2) destroyed Investigation pending
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