# NTSB investigations: Bell 206B: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

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.

Page 1 of 2 · 55 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB CEN25LA292](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA292.md): Bell 206B · North Bend, NE · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 27, 2025 · N432TV · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from wires while maneuvering at a low altitude, and the ground crew failure to inform the pilot that the support truck had been moved.
- [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 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 WPR23LA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA004.md): Bell 206B · Fresno, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 1, 2022 · N284CA · Substantial damage
  > The disbond of a tail rotor drive shaft splined adapter, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor drive and a subsequent hard landing.
- [NTSB ERA22FA383](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA383.md): Bell 206B · Whiteside, TN · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 23, 2022 · N770HP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the powerlines.
- [NTSB ERA22LA330](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA330.md): Bell 206B · Kenton, OH · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 21, 2022 · N39MK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate fuel management, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a loss of engine power.
- [NTSB WPR22LA221](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA221.md): Bell 206B · Stockton, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 17, 2022 · N90326 · Substantial damage
  > Tail rotor blade impact with an unidentified object, which resulted in the loss of control and subsequent rollover of the helicopter.
- [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 ERA21FA130](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21FA130.md): Bell 206 · St Thomas, CB · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Feb 15, 2021 · N13AT · 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 the failure of maintenance personnel to inspect the compressor at the recommended interval for operation in…
- [NTSB ERA21LA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA028.md): Bell 206 · Point Lookout, NY · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 21, 2020 · N716VL · Substantial damage
  > 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…
- [NTSB CEN20LA328](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA328.md): Bell 206 · Marathon, TX · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 8, 2020 · N284S · Destroyed
  > The in-flight loss of helicopter control for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.
- [NTSB WPR20CA162](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA162.md): Bell 206 · Elko, NV · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · May 30, 2020 · N401HP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control in gusting wind that resulted in a loss in altitude and subsequent collision with a fence.
- [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 WPR19LA135](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA135.md): Bell 206 · Oxnard, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 4, 2019 · N49643 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inability to maintain control of the helicopter while maneuvering at a low altitude due to reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.
- [NTSB WPR19LA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA122.md): Bell 206 · Oakridge, OR · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 26, 2019 · N206JH · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power following the failure of a 3rd stage turbine blade due to low- and high-cycle fatigue.
- [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 WPR18LA214](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA214.md): Bell 206 · Basin City, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 7, 2018 · N607RA · Destroyed
  > The pilot's improper execution of a slowing and turning maneuver, which resulted in a loss of control at an altitude that was too low for recovery.
- [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 GAA17CA495](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA495.md): Bell 206 · Minden, NV · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 20, 2017 · N6259C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control during landing due to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.
- [NTSB GAA17CA393](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA393.md): Bell 206 · Dixon, KY · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 6, 2017 · N8159J · Substantial damage
  > 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.
- [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 WPR17LA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA113.md): Bell 206B · Rockville, ID · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 26, 2017 · N24FS · Substantial damage
  > 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.
- [NTSB ERA17TA170](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17TA170.md): Bell 206 · Orange Springs, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Final report · May 2, 2017 · N911GE · Substantial damage
  > 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.
- [NTSB WPR17LA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA019.md): Bell 206B · Yuma, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 11, 2016 · N914HH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inability to maintain helicopter control after its skid got caught on the landing pad while he was maneuvering the helicopter to land on it, which resulted in a dynamic roll-over.
- [NTSB GAA16CA405](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA405.md): Bell 206 · Outlook, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 29, 2016 · N1087N · Destroyed
  > The pilot and ground crew's failure to visually inspect the helicopter's skids before takeoff, which resulted in a water hose becoming entangled on the right skid, a loss of control, an impact with terrain, and a post-crash fire.
- [NTSB ERA16CA160](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16CA160.md): Bell 206 · Baltimore, MD · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 16, 2016 · N326AC · Destroyed
  > The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind while hovering out of ground effect, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.
- [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 WPR16FA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16FA072.md): Bell 206B · Honolulu, HI · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 18, 2016 · N80918 · Substantial damage
  > The in-flight failure of the engine-to-transmission drive shaft due to improper maintenance, which resulted in low main rotor rpm and a subsequent hard landing to water.
- [NTSB WPR16LA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA020.md): Bell 206B · Dallas, OR · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 2, 2015 · N22743 · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
- [NTSB GAA15LA296](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15LA296.md): Bell 206 · Ozark, AL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 24, 2015 · N49660 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while hovering, which resulted in the helicopter's skid impacting terrain, subsequent abnormal airframe vibrations, and a hard landing during the subsequent hovering autorotation.
- [NTSB CEN15LA423](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA423.md): Bell 206B · Woodville, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 24, 2015 · N648CA · Substantial damage
  > The loss of engine power due to water contamination in the fuel system. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection of the fuel tanks and the operator’s inadequate inspection of the fuel supply truck that did not detect water…
- [NTSB CEN15LA370](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA370.md): Bell 206B · Cresco, IA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 18, 2015 · N5743W · Substantial damage
  > The loss of engine power due to the high-cycle fatigue failure of the third-stage turbine wheel.
- [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 ANC15CA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC15CA012.md): Bell 206B · Palmer, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 10, 2015 · N86TA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control while hovering at a low altitude, which resulted in an impact with frozen lake ice. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to operate the helicopter from the left seat contrary to the rotorcraft flight…
- [NTSB CEN15CA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15CA007.md): Bell 206B · Atlanta, AR · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 3, 2014 · N4426M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection when he did not remove a tie-down strap prior to takeoff, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.
- [NTSB WPR14CA319](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA319.md): Bell 206B · Salinas, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 19, 2014 · N291SH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to ensure adequate clearance from ground obstacles during takeoff which resulted in loss of aircraft control.
- [NTSB WPR14CA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA041.md): Bell 206B · Superior, MT · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 2, 2013 · N888DR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering during a long-line operation.
- [NTSB WPR13LA287](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA287.md): Bell 206B · Royal City, WA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 24, 2013 · N407FK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from netting material during a low pass over trees, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control.
- [NTSB ERA13LA236](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA236.md): Bell 206B · Hartford, KY · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 10, 2013 · N94PH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to avoid a powerline that crossed a field that he was spraying. Contributing to the collision was the company’s failure to specifically mention that flight hazards be identified during a pre-work conference.
- [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 CEN13FA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA009.md): Bell 206B · Crowley, LA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 10, 2012 · N333DR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the broadcast tower guy-wires.
- [NTSB WPR12CA236](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA236.md): Bell 206B · Burbank, WA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 30, 2012 · N106TV · Substantial damage
  > The failure of maintenance personnel to properly torque an air tube fitting, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB ERA12LA366](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA366.md): Bell 206B · Longboat Key, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 25, 2012 · N806LA · Substantial damage
  > Unknown personnel's failure to comply with the engine manufacturer's engine fuel pump replacement guidance, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to the engine fuel pump failure.
- [NTSB CEN12LA282](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA282.md): Bell 206B-III · Flora, IN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 9, 2012 · N1069Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot allowed the helicopter to settle with power.
- [NTSB CEN12LA267](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA267.md): Bell 206B · Valley Falls, KS · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 2, 2012 · N85RB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate compensation for the wind conditions during a hover maneuver, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.
- [NTSB CEN12LA258](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA258.md): Bell 206B · Amarillo, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 26, 2012 · N2068X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control during landing in gusty wind conditions associated with a thunderstorm, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.
- [NTSB WPR12CA183](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA183.md): Bell 206B · Arvin, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 25, 2012 · N969W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot did not maintain clearance from power lines during low altitude maneuvering.
- [NTSB WPR12LA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA036.md): Bell 206B · Woodburn, OR · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 14, 2011 · N16HA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain ground clearance while maneuvering with an external load line.
- [NTSB ERA12MA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12MA005.md): Bell 206B · New York, NY · Accident · 2 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Oct 4, 2011 · N63Q · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to anticipate and correct for conditions (high gross weight, low indicated airspeed, and a right downwind turn) conducive to loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE), which resulted in LTE and an uncontrolled spin. Contributing to the…

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1181511&page=2

## 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" = '470' 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/470/sequence?model=1181511

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.