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
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 30, 2018	Rio Grande, PR	N10CV	Fatal (1)	substantial	A total loss of engine power due to oil exhaustion, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and hard landing.
Jun 17, 2018	Orondo, WA	N2762P	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering at low altitude.
Jun 05, 2018	Sanders, KY	N518Z	Minor	substantial	A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, and a loss of main rotor rpm during the subsequent autorotation, which resulted in a hard lan… A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, and a loss of main rotor rpm during the subsequent autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing.
Apr 15, 2018	Vereda Plateado, CO	HK-4484	Fatal	substantial	Investigation pending
Apr 11, 2018	Vereda Plateado, CO	HK-4776	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Feb 04, 2018	Uetersen, GE	D-HHNC	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
Nov 08, 2017	Union City, TN	N275AE	Minor	substantial	The pilot’s inadvertent slope landing and attempted recovery, which resulted in an incipient dynamic rollover, mast bumping, and separation of the mai… The pilot’s inadvertent slope landing and attempted recovery, which resulted in an incipient dynamic rollover, mast bumping, and separation of the main rotor.
Nov 07, 2017	Rolling Fork, MS	N93PH	Minor	substantial	An uncommanded yaw and subsequent loss of main rotor rpm for reasons that could not be determined.
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.
Sep 16, 2017	Ancho, NM	N213TV	Fatal (1)	destroyed	The pilot's distraction by a cell phone during a low-altitude flight, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
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.
Aug 10, 2017	Algiers, AG	7T-WUF	Fatal (4)	substantial	Investigation pending
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.
Jul 05, 2017	Republic of Buryatia, RS	RA-01625	Fatal (1)	substantial	Investigation pending
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.
Jun 10, 2017	Fengbin, TW	B-31118	Fatal (3)	destroyed	Investigation pending
May 26, 2017	Rockville, ID	N24FS	Serious (1)	substantial	The in-flight failure of the engine-to-transmission drive shaft due to a fatigue fracture of one of the KAflex flex frames caused by a loose bolt, whi… The in-flight failure of the engine-to-transmission drive shaft due to a fatigue fracture of one of the KAflex flex frames caused by a loose bolt, which resulted in a total loss of engine power and a subsequent hard landing.
May 02, 2017	Orange Springs, FL	N911GE	Serious (1)	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance between the helicopter's skid and the firefighting bucket and suspension cable, which resulted in t… The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance between the helicopter's skid and the firefighting bucket and suspension cable, which resulted in the cable becoming entangled on the landing skid and a subsequent loss of helicopter control.
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 17, 2017	Araucária Municipality, BR	PT-YHH	Serious (4)	substantial	Investigation pending
Mar 15, 2017	Figeac, FR	F-GPPH	Fatal (1)	destroyed	Investigation pending
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.

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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