# Fatal NTSB investigations: Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 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 CEN25FA281](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25FA281.md): Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Thibodaux, LA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 23, 2025 · N2611 · Destroyed > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance to powerlines during an agricultural application pass. - [NTSB ERA15FA173](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15FA173.md): Bell Helicopter Textron 206 L-1 · Saucier, MS · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 30, 2015 · N50KH · Destroyed > A loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined due to postaccident fire damage. - [NTSB CEN15FA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15FA003.md): Bell Helicopter Textron 206L 1 · Wichita Falls, TX · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 4, 2014 · N335AE · Destroyed > The pilot’s failure to maintain yaw control when he applied power to execute a go-around at a low airspeed in dark, night conditions, which resulted in a rapid, uncommanded right yaw due to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness. - [NTSB ERA13FA273](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13FA273.md): Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Manchester, KY · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 7, 2013 · N114AE · Destroyed > The pilot’s loss of helicopter control due to spatial disorientation when he inadvertently encountered night, instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the in-flight separation of the main rotor and tailboom. - [NTSB CEN10FA509](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10FA509.md): Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Walnut Grove, AR · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 31, 2010 · N62AE · Substantial damage > The pilot’s loss of aircraft control, due to spatial disorientation, resulting in the in-flight separation of the main rotor and tail boom. - [NTSB CHI08FA269](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08FA269.md): Bell 206L-1 · Greensburg, IN · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 31, 2008 · N37AE · Destroyed > The in-flight separation of a main rotor blade due to a fatigue failure of the blade spar, rendering the helicopter uncontrollable, and the manufacturer's production of main rotor blades with latent manufacturing defects, which precipitated the fatigue… - [NTSB DCA08WA059](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA08WA059.md): Bell 206 L-1 · Muanda, Congo - Kinshasa · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · May 9, 2008 · N5014V · Destroyed - [NTSB DFW08FA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08FA053.md): Bell 206L1 · Venice, LA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 29, 2007 · N211EL · Destroyed > The pilot’s decision to continue to the destination landing platform in weather conditions below the company’s weather minimums and his failure to maintain aircraft control during the approach. Contributing to the passenger fatality and the severity of the… - [NTSB DFW06FA083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW06FA083.md): Bell 206L-1 · Patterson, LA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 14, 2006 · N370RL · Destroyed > The improper installation of an engine fuel line fitting by other maintenance personnel, which resulted in a loose fitting and a loss of engine power during cruise flight. Factors associated with the accident are a tailwind, and the lack of a suitable site… - [NTSB DFW05FA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05FA073.md): Bell 206-L1 · Gentry, AR · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 21, 2005 · N5734M · Substantial damage > The pilot’s improper decision to maneuver in an environment conducive to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness. - [NTSB FTW04FA186](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04FA186.md): Bell 206 L-1 · Cameron, LA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 17, 2004 · N1078C · Destroyed > The helicopter's in-flight collision with water for undetermined reasons. - [NTSB FTW04FA168](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04FA168.md): Bell 206-L1 · Vermillion Bay, LA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 24, 2004 · N5006F · Destroyed > The pilot's continued flight into adverse weather conditions resulting in a loss of control. Contributing factors were the prevailing thunderstorms and the pilot's inadequate in flight preparation and planning. - [NTSB CHI04FA107](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04FA107.md): Bell 206L-1 · Boonville, IN · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 21, 2004 · N137AE · Substantial damage > The pilot's inadequate planning/decision which resulted in his failure to maintain terrain clearance. Contributing factors were the pilot's inadequate preflight planning, his diverted attention, and the dark night conditions. - [NTSB CHI03FA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03FA056.md): Bell 206L-1 · B.S. 53, LA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 16, 2003 · N3194P · Destroyed > The improper approach by the pilot and the settling with power encountered by the pilot. - [NTSB CHI02FA288](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02FA288.md): Bell 206L-1 · Doland, SD · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 10, 2002 · N400SL · Destroyed > Pilot spatial disorientation while flying in dark night conditions, resulting in a loss of aircraft control; and the company's inadequate remedial actions after identifying the pilot's night flying deficiency over areas without lighted references. A factor to… - [NTSB ATL02FA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL02FA048.md): Bell 206L-1 · New Smyrna Bch., FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 16, 2002 · N23PJ · Destroyed > The pilot continued visual flight into instrument conditions that resulted in the in-flight collision with trees. Factor were the pilot's alcohol impaired condition, and low cloud conditions. - [NTSB LAX00GA286](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00GA286.md): Bell 206L-1 · Montello, NV · Accident · 1 fatal · Final report · Aug 4, 2000 · N10864 · Substantial damage > The loss of control in hovering flight and impact with terrain for undetermined reasons. - [NTSB FTW00RA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00RA039.md): Bell 206-L1 · Cabinda, Angola · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Dec 1, 1999 · N5005B - [NTSB FTW97RA323](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97RA323.md): Bell 206L-1 · Arica, Peru · Accident · 3 fatal · Foreign investigation · Aug 21, 1997 · N2246Q - [NTSB LAX97GA235](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97GA235.md): Bell BHT-206L-1 · Highland, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Final report · Jul 7, 1997 · N27591 · Destroyed > Loss of engine power due to fuel contamination. Also causal was the ingestion of entrapped air that occurred during an abrupt maneuver and fuel-borne contamination that caused the fuel system check valves to leak, resulted in a lower than expected fuel level… - [NTSB FTW97FA208](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97FA208.md): Bell 206B · Intracoastl Cty, LA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 1, 1997 · N115AL · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage > The failure of both pilots to see and avoid each other's aircraft. Factors were the failure of the pilot of N2773A to use the available traffic advisory service and the failure of the operator of N2773A to make the use of traffic advisory services a company… - [NTSB NYC96GA083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC96GA083.md): Bell 206L-1 · Charleston, WV · Accident · 2 fatal · Final report · Apr 4, 1996 · N79SP · Destroyed > the helicopter manufacturer's inadequate maintenance service bulletin inspection interval which failed to provide timely detection of preexisting fatigue cracks in the tail boom. Factors were: the manufacturer's failure to develop a modification of the failed… - [NTSB LAX95FA339](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95FA339.md): Bell 206L-1 · Irvine, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 20, 1995 · N700TH · Destroyed > the pilot's intentional VFR flight into IMC conditions and failure to maintain an adequate terrain clearance altitude, and the local controller's improper use of ATC procedure/technique. Factors in the accident were the helicopter's low fuel state and lack of… - [NTSB LAX95FA313](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95FA313.md): Bell 206-L1 · Johnsondale, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 30, 1995 · N3886J · Destroyed > the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate obstacle clearance altitude while operating at a very low level. The aircraft's lack of wire cutters was a factor in this accident. - [NTSB BFO94FA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO94FA013.md): Bell 206L-1 · Portland, ME · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 20, 1993 · N911ME · Destroyed > The pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and his failure to assure that adequate fuel was available to complete the flight, resulting in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Factors which contributed to the… - [NTSB LAX91TL#08](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91TL%2308.md): Bell 206L-1 · Lake Alpine, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Final report · Jul 27, 1991 · N523RR · Destroyed - [NTSB FTW91FA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91FA035.md): Bell 206L-1 · S Tim Blk 198 · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 27, 1991 · N39HC · Destroyed > For undetermined reason(s), the helicoper crashed at sea (gulf of Mexico) in an area with a low ceiling, rain, and thunderstorms. - [NTSB FTW90FA178](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90FA178.md): Bell B206LI · Port O'Connor, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 12, 1990 · N882BT · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain proper altitude. Factors were the pilot's decision to fly into the known adverse weather and the weather/light conditions. - [NTSB FTW89FA133](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89FA133.md): Aerospatiale AS-350-D · Galveston, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 11, 1989 · N3595B · 2 aircraft · Destroyed > Failure of both pilots to see-and-avoid the other aircraft (inadequate visual lookout). - [NTSB MKC89FA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89FA043.md): Bell 206L-1 · Cape Girardeau, MO · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 22, 1988 · N119CG · Destroyed > The helicopter was dispatched at night on an emerg med svc (EMS) flt fm a hospital at Cape Girardeau, MO. Purpose of theflt was to transport a patient fm a hospital at marion, IL, to Cape Girardeau. Wx at Cape Girardeau deteriorated after the acft departed.… - [NTSB LAX89LA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA073.md): Bell 206L-1 · Oakland, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 21, 1988 · N1072S · Destroyed > Pilots intentional flight into known adverse weather condititions from which he inadvertently descended into the water at a high rate of speed. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to obtain a weather briefing; lack of recent instrument flying… - [NTSB NYC88FA166](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88FA166.md): Bell 206L-1 · Springtown, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 17, 1988 · N114FH · Destroyed > While in cruise flight, ground witnesses observed the helicopter make two violent roll maneuvers followed by an in-flight breakup. Aircraft wreckage was spread over an area of approximately 10 acres. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the collective… - [NTSB DEN87FA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87FA147.md): Bell 206L-1 · Choteau, MT · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 6, 1987 · N4999N · Destroyed > The EMS helicopter was returning to great falls, MT, on 6/5/87 when it crashed. Its occupants had earlier participated in a rescue seminar at many glacier, MT. The wreckage was not found until 6/9/87. A video tape recovered from the wreckage disclosed the… - [NTSB FTW87LA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA057.md): Bell 206L-1 · Matagorda 665 · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 5, 1987 · N5012Z · Substantial damage > The plt took off fm an off-shore oil platform with 3 pax on board. Shortly after depg, he transmitted a 'mayday,' but did not state the nature of the emerg. A pax rprtd that the eng sound changed & the plt told him to 'get the raft out.' Subsequently, the… - [NTSB SEA87MA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87MA034.md): Bell 206L-1 · Pendleton, OR · Accident · 3 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Dec 4, 1986 · N7EC · Destroyed > The helicopter departed Pendleton on an emerg med svc/med-evac (EMS) flt to transport a patient to portland. After delivering the patient, the plt took off on the rtn flt with 2 med psnl aboard. Drg arrival at 1658 PST, he requested a special VFR (svfr)… - [NTSB ATL87MA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87MA035.md): Bell 206L-1 · Jamestown, TN · Accident · 4 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Dec 3, 1986 · N3898U · Destroyed > The helicopter was being used in an emerg med svc/med-evac (EMS) opn. At 0230, the plt obtained a partial wx briefing. He was advised of flt prctns for IFR wx thru-out the area with low ceilings, fog, precip & mtns obscd. The flt departed nashville at 0245 &… - [NTSB LAX86MA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86MA050.md): Bell 206L-1 · San Pedro, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Dec 1, 1985 · N3913Z · 2 aircraft · Destroyed > Two Bell 206L'S (N3913Z oprd by helitrans, N5759Y oprd by island express) deptd avalon 2 min apart on flts to San Pedro. Arr route at destn was ovr a RVR with angling fnl acph arnd a floating restaurant (fr). Heliport (HP) was in congested area nr bridge,… - [NTSB MKC86FA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86FA020.md): Bell 206L-1 · Mansfield, MO · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 1, 1985 · N27689 · Destroyed > After departing west plains hospital for springfield, transferring a critically injured patient, the plt of the EMS helicopter began to encounter deteriorating weather. The plt was concerned about the close spread of temperature and dew point, but had… - [NTSB FTW82FA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82FA041.md): Bell Helicopter 206L-1 · Houma, LA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 16, 1982 · N1081H · Destroyed > The acft was enroute to the ship shoal area in the gulf of Mexico. Another plt who departed earlier advised the plt that he & another acft had turned around & was returning after encountering a low ceiling & reduced visibility. The surviving pax stated that… ## 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."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal' AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('1182107')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC ``` This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?fatal=1&model=1182107 --- 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.