# NTSB investigations: Bell 206B: Low altitude operation/event

NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports.

## Latest cases

- [NTSB CEN25LA396](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA396.md): Bell 206 · Archer City, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 27, 2025 · N565VA · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines while herding livestock.
- [NTSB CEN25LA266](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA266.md): Bell B206-B · Bloomington, IL · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 18, 2025 · N975TR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to avoid power lines during an aerial application flight.
- [NTSB CEN24LA368](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA368.md): Bell 206 · Lexington, NE · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 25, 2024 · N92PH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain proper clearance from powerlines.
- [NTSB CEN24FA287](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA287.md): Bell 206 · Nashua, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Jul 29, 2024 · N94XA · Substantial damage
  > On July 29, 2024 about 1330 central standard time, a Bell 206-B3 Helicopter, N94XA, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Nashua, Iowa. The pilot was fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part…
- [NTSB CEN24LA276](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA276.md): Bell 206 · Cornland, IL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 21, 2024 · N26UK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot was unable to see a wire due to the setting sun and the helicopter subsequently struck the wire.
- [NTSB CEN24LA275](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA275.md): Bell 206B · Cuba City, WI · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 21, 2024 · N67110 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a wire during an agricultural application pass.
- [NTSB CEN23LA342](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA342.md): Bell 206B · Denison, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 30, 2023 · N231RL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inflight distraction, which resulted in his failure to see and avoid wires.
- [NTSB ERA23LA307](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA307.md): Bell 206 · Terra Alta, WV · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 21, 2023 · N9913K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inability to maneuver the helicopter for recovery after experiencing a strong, unanticipated tailwind in a confined operating area, which resulted in a descent and subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN23LA279](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA279.md): Bell 206B · Chapman, KS · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 5, 2023 · N67FA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the power line during an agricultural application pass.
- [NTSB ERA22LA206](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA206.md): Bell 206 · Lake Apopka, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 26, 2022 · N206BX · Substantial damage
  > A collision with water following a loss of visual reference to the water surface due to sun glare.
- [NTSB CEN22FA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22FA053.md): Bell 206 · Perry, OK · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 28, 2021 · N59600 · Destroyed
  > A loss of lateral control during a hover that resulted in an impact with terrain. Based on the available evidence, the reason for the loss of lateral control could not be determined.
- [NTSB CEN21LA356](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA356.md): Bell 206 · Corydon, IN · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 4, 2021 · N59552 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to see and avoid power lines.
- [NTSB WPR21LA130](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA130.md): Bell 206B · Laton, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 13, 2021 · N161BH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines during low-altitude maneuvering.
- [NTSB WPR20LA331](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA331.md): Bell 206 · Randle, WA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 9, 2020 · N91TA · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a tree while conducting an external load operation.
- [NTSB ERA20FA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20FA012.md): Bell 206 · New Salem, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 17, 2019 · N167AG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in impact with a powerline.
- [NTSB GAA19CA457](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA457.md): Bell 206 · Dukedom, TN · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 27, 2019 · N454MS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from wires during an agricultural application flight.
- [NTSB GAA19CA278](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA278.md): Bell 206 · Pittsfield, IL · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 23, 2019 · N158H · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from rising terrain during agricultural application operations.
- [NTSB WPR19TA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19TA061.md): Bell 206 · Yuma, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Final report · Jan 12, 2019 · N88HC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power transmission wires while flying at low altitude in nighttime conditions.
- [NTSB GAA18CA512](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA512.md): Bell 206 · Battle Mountain, NV · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Aug 18, 2018 · N8052G · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain the proper altitude and airspeed while flying in a canyon in gusting wind conditions.
- [NTSB GAA18CA352](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA352.md): Bell 206 · Orondo, WA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 17, 2018 · N2762P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB GAA17CA402](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA402.md): Bell 206 · Uniontown, KY · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 30, 2017 · N60KH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate separation from power lines, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control.
- [NTSB GAA16CA165](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA165.md): Bell 206B · Hanford, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 26, 2016 · N52Q · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to release the collective while flying at 10 feet above ground level, resulting in the rapid helicopter descent and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB GAA15CA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA102.md): Bell 206 - B11 · Caledonia, MI · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 29, 2015 · N206ED · Substantial damage
  > A loss of tail rotor effectiveness while maneuvering at low altitude, resulting in a collision with trees.
- [NTSB WPR14CA052](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA052.md): Bell 206B · Milo, OR · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 28, 2013 · N16673 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to see and avoid wires while maneuvering at a low-altitude, which resulted in the main rotor blades striking the wires.
- [NTSB WPR13LA358](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA358.md): Bell 206B · Chualar, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 4, 2013 · N90146 · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel's failure to properly tighten the bolts securing the main driveshaft to the transmission, which resulted in fatigue failure of the bolts and disconnection of the driveshaft during low-altitude flight.
- [NTSB WPR13CA204](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA204.md): Bell 206B · Wells, NV · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 20, 2013 · N4237M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an obstacle while maneuvering at a low altitude.
- [NTSB WPR13GA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13GA128.md): Bell 206B · Eureka, NV · Accident · 1 fatal · Final report · Feb 18, 2013 · N20620 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a wire while maneuvering during low-altitude operations. Contributing to the accident was task- and/or work-related fatigue.
- [NTSB CEN11LA646](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA646.md): Bell 206B · Spicewood, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 15, 2011 · N3181J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot did not maintain adequate rotor rpm during a low-altitude maneuvering flight.
- [NTSB CEN11CA509](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA509.md): Bell 206B · Temple, OK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 23, 2011 · N118TV · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from static power lines.
- [NTSB ERA11LA083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11LA083.md): Bell 206B · Isom, KY · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 10, 2010 · N263CH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a known wire hazard during an aerial observation flight.
- [NTSB CEN11FA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11FA053.md): Bell 206 · Meeker, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 3, 2010 · N8533F · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from electrical power lines during the low-altitude flight.
- [NTSB WPR11LA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA016.md): Bell 206B · Auburn, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 14, 2010 · N2763M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a transmission line during flight.
- [NTSB CEN10CA446](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA446.md): Bell 206 · St. Olaf, IA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 28, 2010 · N275RA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from wires during the agricultural flight.
- [NTSB CEN10CA428](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA428.md): Bell 206B · New Hampton, IA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 23, 2010 · N40TA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from wires.
- [NTSB WPR09LA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA010.md): Bell 206B · Cougar, WA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 10, 2008 · N206CH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance between his external load and trees while maneuvering. Contributing to the accident were hilly terrain and trees.
- [NTSB SEA08CA091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08CA091.md): Bell 206B · Oxnard, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 11, 2008 · N7028J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with terrain during an aerial application.

## The whole list in SQL

Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS:

```sql
SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1
WHERE c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('1181511')
    AND EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s.case_mkey = x.case_mkey AND s.aircrafts_position = x.position AND s."tier2Number" = '220' AND s.case_mkey IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' WHERE "isDefiningEvent")))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence?model=1181511

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