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
Feb 03, 1994	CATHLAMET, WA	N43823	Minor	substantial	LOAD JETTISON WAS NOT PERFORMED.
Oct 25, 1993	HIGH ISLAND 467,	N22841	Minor	substantial	WERE THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION AND HIS FAILURE TO REMOVE ALL OF THE AIRCRAFT TIE-DOWNS.
Jun 30, 1993	AGOURA HILLS, CA	N911VC	Minor	destroyed	The improper configuration of the aerial ignition device by the crew chief and an inadvertent activation of the unit by the pilot. The improper insta… The improper configuration of the aerial ignition device by the crew chief and an inadvertent activation of the unit by the pilot. The improper installation and configuration of the unit by maintenance personnel, inadequate crew coordination, and insufficient aviation unit operational standards were factors in this accident.
Jun 20, 1993	HARLEM, MT	N33EA	Minor	substantial	THE IMPROPER REFUELING SYSTEM PROCEDURES WHICH ALLOWED WATER TO CONTAMINATE THE AIRCRAFT FUEL AND THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT.
Jun 20, 1993	WEST MONROE, LA	N911MT	Minor	substantial	THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PLANNING AND PREPARATION PRIOR TO TAKEOFF, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN OBSTACLE CLEARANCE. FACTORS WERE THE FOG AND LOW CEILING
May 16, 1993	MEAD, CO	N38Q	Minor	substantial	A FAILURE BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO COMPENSATE FOR WIND CONDITIONS AND MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER. A FACTOR WAS: UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITION… A FAILURE BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO COMPENSATE FOR WIND CONDITIONS AND MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER. A FACTOR WAS: UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS.
Apr 14, 1993	LUCASVILLE, OH	N72HP	Minor	destroyed	LOSS OF TAIL ROTOR EFFECTIVENESS WHICH RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL. A FACTOR WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE UNFAVORABLE WINDS.
Feb 23, 1993	OKLAHOMA CITY, OK	N224TV	Minor	substantial	THE PASSENGERS INADVERTENT CONTROL INTERFERENCE. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF THE PASSENGER
Feb 08, 1993	VERMILLION 39,	N2244W	Minor	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE.
Jan 17, 1993	LANTANA, FL	N117TV	Minor	substantial	THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO ASSURE THAT THE HELICOPTER WAS PROPERLY POSITIONED ON THE LANDING PLATFORM.
Nov 21, 1992	HILO, HI	N789N	Minor	substantial	THE PILOT'S INTENTIONAL FLIGHT IN AND NEAR A VOLCANIC GAS CLOUD WHICH INDUCED A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO A LACK OF COMBUSTIBLE OXYGEN IN TH… THE PILOT'S INTENTIONAL FLIGHT IN AND NEAR A VOLCANIC GAS CLOUD WHICH INDUCED A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO A LACK OF COMBUSTIBLE OXYGEN IN THE ATMOSPHERE.
Aug 01, 1992	JENNER, CA	N56SP	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
Jun 19, 1992	WAIKOLOA, HI	N2267N	Minor	substantial	FAILURE OF THE REAR LANDING GEAR CROSS TUBE DUE TO CORROSION.
Feb 10, 1992	SAN ARDO, CA	N3903L	Minor	substantial	THE PILOT'S DECISION TO LAND IN A PLOWED FIELD MADE SOFT FROM WINTER RAIN SHOWER ACTIVITY.
Jan 29, 1992	E.I. BLK 108,	N65603	Minor	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE ABOVE THE WATER. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT ATTEMPTING FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS OF FOG AND LO… THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE ABOVE THE WATER. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT ATTEMPTING FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS OF FOG AND LOW CEILINGS DURING DAWN LIGHT CONDITIONS.
May 06, 1991	SEARCHLIGHT, NV	N49720	Minor	destroyed	CANNOT BE DETERMINED IN THAT THE HELICOPTER WAS STOLEN AND THE CERTAINTY OF THE RESULTING DAMAGE TO THE HELICOPTER MAY HAVE BEEN INTENTIONAL OR ACCIDE… CANNOT BE DETERMINED IN THAT THE HELICOPTER WAS STOLEN AND THE CERTAINTY OF THE RESULTING DAMAGE TO THE HELICOPTER MAY HAVE BEEN INTENTIONAL OR ACCIDENTAL.
Feb 16, 1991	KODIAK, AK	N59568	Minor	substantial	A LOSS OF CONTROL AND COLLISION WITH TERRAIN AFTER THE HELICOPTER ENTERED A WHITEOUT CONDITION.
Dec 21, 1990	ST. MARKS, FL	N37AN	Minor	destroyed	THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SAFE ALTITUDE WHILE DESCENDING OVER A COASTLINE, AT NIGHT, IN VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. CONTRIBUTIN… THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SAFE ALTITUDE WHILE DESCENDING OVER A COASTLINE, AT NIGHT, IN VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN A FULL WEATHER BRIEFING PRIOR TO DEPARTURE RESULTING IN HIS ENCOUNTER WITH INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS AT HIS DESTINATION.
Aug 14, 1990	SAN FRANCISCO, CA	N2917W	Minor	destroyed	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S DECISION TO OPERATE THE HELICOPTER… THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S DECISION TO OPERATE THE HELICOPTER IN A FLIGHT REGIME CONDUCIVE TO UNANTICIPATED RIGHT YAW.
Jul 24, 1990	SARASOTA, FL	N2164Z	Minor	substantial	IMPROPER CONTROL INPUT AFTER THE LOSS OF TAIL ROTOR EFFECTIVENESS.
May 03, 1990	LA VERNE, CA	N59560	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
Feb 22, 1990	NORWOOD, MA	N41AA	Minor	substantial	IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT. THE TURBULENCE WAS A RELATED FACTOR.
Oct 10, 1989	HIGH ISLAND 474, GM	N3889W	Minor	substantial	THE PILOT'S ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF WITH ONE TIE-DOWN STRAP STILL ATTACHED TO THE HELICOPTER WHICH RESULTED FROM AN INADEQUATEPREFLIGHT INSPECTION OF THE AI… THE PILOT'S ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF WITH ONE TIE-DOWN STRAP STILL ATTACHED TO THE HELICOPTER WHICH RESULTED FROM AN INADEQUATEPREFLIGHT INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT.
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.

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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