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
Mar 13, 2021 Laton, CA N161BH Minor substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines during low-altitude maneuvering.
Feb 17, 2021 Wonderboom, OF ZS-HWZ Incident substantial Investigation pending
Feb 15, 2021 St Thomas, CB N13AT Fatal (4) destroyed
A total loss of engine power due to fatigue failure of two of the stage 3 compressor blades. Contributing to the failure of the compressor blades was …

A total loss of engine power due to fatigue failure of two of the stage 3 compressor blades. Contributing to the failure of the compressor blades was the failure of maintenance personnel to inspect the compressor at the recommended interval for operation in corrosive environments.

Feb 09, 2021 Courchevel, OF F-HUBA Fatal (2) destroyed Investigation pending
Feb 04, 2021 Pahokee, FL N820H Incident substantial A loss of main rotor rpm for reasons that could not be determined, which resulted in an autorotation and a subsequent hard landing and rollover.
Jan 19, 2021 Wolseley, OF ZS-HUC Fatal (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Dec 11, 2020 Mambucaba, BR PP-MSA Fatal (1) substantial Investigation pending
Nov 08, 2020 Raleigh, NC N123NC Incident substantial
The pilot's loss of helicopter control after entry into vortex ring state, which resulted in main rotor blade contact with the tailboom, and impact wi…

The pilot's loss of helicopter control after entry into vortex ring state, which resulted in main rotor blade contact with the tailboom, and impact with the ground.

Oct 21, 2020 Point Lookout, NY N716VL Minor substantial
The pilot’s decision to depart on a visual flight rules flight, and to continue that flight into forecasted and deteriorating instrument meteorologica…

The pilot’s decision to depart on a visual flight rules flight, and to continue that flight into forecasted and deteriorating instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) in a helicopter that was not equipped for flight in IMC, which resulted in the pilot’s spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of control.

Oct 16, 2020 Zephyrhills, FL N777CP Incident substantial
Improper torquing of the “B” nut at the fuel control unit, which led to a total loss of engine power and subsequent autorotation that resulted in subs…

Improper torquing of the “B” nut at the fuel control unit, which led to a total loss of engine power and subsequent autorotation that resulted in substantial damage.

Sep 09, 2020 Randle, WA N91TA Serious (1) destroyed The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a tree while conducting an external load operation.
Aug 28, 2020 Lago, NI 5N-BQW Incident destroyed Investigation pending
Aug 08, 2020 Marathon, TX N284S Fatal (3) destroyed The in-flight loss of helicopter control for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.
Jul 16, 2020 Homer, AK N1432D Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to see and avoid the boat's mast, which resulted in a main rotor blade strike. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadeq…

The pilot's failure to see and avoid the boat's mast, which resulted in a main rotor blade strike. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight planning by not having the boat's mast measured.

Jun 25, 2020 Coconut Creek, FL N5013G Serious (1) substantial
The pilot’s inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the pilo…

The pilot’s inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to recognize the illumination of the low-fuel caution light.

Jun 17, 2020 Gauteng, SF ZT-RHC Fatal (2) destroyed Investigation pending
Jun 02, 2020 Fairfield, CA N65PJ Fatal (3) substantial
The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from powerlines while conducting external load operations, which resulted in the main rotor contact…

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from powerlines while conducting external load operations, which resulted in the main rotor contacting a wire and a subsequent collision with terrain.

May 30, 2020 Elko, NV N401HP Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control in gusting wind that resulted in a loss in altitude and subsequent collision with a fence.
Mar 24, 2020 Chicureo, CI CC-ARR Fatal (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Mar 23, 2020 Konstantinovsky Cape, RS RA-01917 Fatal (1) Investigation pending
Mar 05, 2020 Clark, MO N32AE Incident substantial
The fatigue failure of the pneumatic line for reasons that could not be determined, which resulted in a loss of engine power and subsequent hard landi…

The fatigue failure of the pneumatic line for reasons that could not be determined, which resulted in a loss of engine power and subsequent hard landing.

Jan 23, 2020 Lac Saint-Jean, CA C-GSQA Serious (1) substantial Investigation pending
Oct 17, 2019 New Salem, NC N167AG Fatal (1) substantial The pilot's inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in impact with a powerline.
Sep 24, 2019 Campbell River, CA C-GEBY Fatal (1) Investigation pending
Sep 12, 2019 Hill City, SD N100CK Incident substantial A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a hard landing.
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