NTSB investigations: Bell 206B
36 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Bell 206B, where the sequence of events included Low altitude operation/event. Aircraft are matched to the registry by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model, so older matches can be wrong.
Cases per year
| 2008 | 2 |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 2 |
Where
Open the mapLatest cases
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "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"Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.
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" DESCRun it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.
NTSB CEN25LA396Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell 206 · Archer City, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines while herding livestock.NTSB CEN25LA266Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell B206-B · Bloomington, ILThe pilot’s failure to avoid power lines during an aerial application flight.NTSB CEN24LA368Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell 206 · Lexington, NEThe pilot’s failure to maintain proper clearance from powerlines.NTSB CEN24FA287Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportBell 206 · Nashua, IAOn 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 CEN24LA276Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell 206 · Cornland, ILThe pilot was unable to see a wire due to the setting sun and the helicopter subsequently struck the wire.NTSB CEN24LA275Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell 206B · Cuba City, WIThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a wire during an agricultural application pass.NTSB CEN23LA342Accident · 1 fatalClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell 206B · Denison, IAThe pilot’s inflight distraction, which resulted in his failure to see and avoid wires.NTSB ERA23LA307Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell 206 · Terra Alta, WVThe 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 CEN23LA279Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell 206B · Chapman, KSThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the power line during an agricultural application pass.NTSB ERA22LA206Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell 206 · Lake Apopka, FLA collision with water following a loss of visual reference to the water surface due to sun glare.NTSB CEN22FA053Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell 206 · Perry, OKA 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 CEN21LA356Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell 206 · Corydon, INThe pilot’s failure to see and avoid power lines.NTSB WPR21LA130Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell 206B · Laton, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines during low-altitude maneuvering.NTSB WPR20LA331Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell 206 · Randle, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a tree while conducting an external load operation.NTSB ERA20FA012Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell 206 · New Salem, NCThe pilot's inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in impact with a powerline.NTSB GAA19CA457Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 206 · Dukedom, TNThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from wires during an agricultural application flight.NTSB GAA19CA278Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 206 · Pittsfield, ILThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from rising terrain during agricultural application operations.NTSB WPR19TA061Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3Final reportBell 206 · Yuma, AZThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power transmission wires while flying at low altitude in nighttime conditions.NTSB GAA18CA512Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportBell 206 · Battle Mountain, NVThe pilot's failure to maintain the proper altitude and airspeed while flying in a canyon in gusting wind conditions.NTSB GAA18CA352Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 206 · Orondo, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering at low altitude.NTSB GAA17CA402Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 206 · Uniontown, KYThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate separation from power lines, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control.NTSB GAA16CA165Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 206B · Hanford, CAThe 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 GAA15CA102Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 206 - B11 · Caledonia, MIA loss of tail rotor effectiveness while maneuvering at low altitude, resulting in a collision with trees.NTSB WPR14CA052Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 206B · Milo, ORThe 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 WPR13LA358Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Chualar, CAMaintenance 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 WPR13CA204Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 206B · Wells, NVThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an obstacle while maneuvering at a low altitude.NTSB WPR13GA128Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBell 206B · Eureka, NVThe 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 CEN11LA646Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Spicewood, TXThe pilot did not maintain adequate rotor rpm during a low-altitude maneuvering flight.NTSB CEN11CA509Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 206B · Temple, OKThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from static power lines.NTSB ERA11LA083Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Isom, KYThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a known wire hazard during an aerial observation flight.NTSB CEN11FA053Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206 · Meeker, COThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from electrical power lines during the low-altitude flight.NTSB WPR11LA016Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Auburn, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a transmission line during flight.NTSB CEN10CA446Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 206 · St. Olaf, IAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from wires during the agricultural flight.NTSB CEN10CA428Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 206B · New Hampton, IAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from wires.NTSB WPR09LA010Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Cougar, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance between his external load and trees while maneuvering. Contributing to the accident were hilly terrain and trees.NTSB SEA08CA091Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 206B · Oxnard, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with terrain during an aerial application.