# 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.

Page 1 of 4 · 187 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB WPR26LA146](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA146.md): Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Chimney Rock, MT · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 4, 2026 · N5017G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from the terrain while performing a low altitude circling takeoff maneuver, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.
- [NTSB WPR26FA082](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26FA082.md): Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Kamas, UT · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Jan 18, 2026 · N138DD · Substantial damage
  > On January 18, 2026, about 1510 mountain standard time, a Bell 206L-1, N138DD, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Kamas, Utah. The pilot and three passengers received minor injuries. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14…
- [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 ERA25LA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA027.md): Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Canal Winchester, OH · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 27, 2024 · N54AE · Substantial damage
  > An in-flight collision with a bird while in cruise flight.
- [NTSB ERA24LA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA076.md): Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Walland, TN · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 28, 2023 · N571CJ · Substantial damage
  > The improper installation of the No. 8 bearing spanner nut, which resulted in the No. 8 bearing’s failure, and the subsequent total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB GAA24WA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA24WA047.md): Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · El Mirador, Guatemala · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 5 · Foreign · Nov 30, 2023 · N2249Z · Substantial damage
- [NTSB CEN23LA280](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA280.md): Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Amity, MO · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 5, 2023 · N828WP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to see and avoid wires while conducting a low-level aerial application flight.
- [NTSB WPR22LA340](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA340.md): Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Banning, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 10, 2022 · N242BH · Substantial damage
  > The improper attachment of the tail rotor drive shaft to the air conditioner drive pulley without a drive ring, which resulted in the failure of the hardware, a loss of tail rotor drive, and the loss of control of the helicopter followed by a hard landing and…
- [NTSB WPR21LA333](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA333.md): Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Glide, OR · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 27, 2021 · N303AE · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a tree during an aerial application.
- [NTSB ANC20CA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20CA070.md): Bell 206L-1 · Homer, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jul 16, 2020 · N1432D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to see and avoid the boat's mast, which resulted in a main rotor blade strike. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight planning by not having the boat's mast measured.
- [NTSB ERA20LA229](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA229.md): Bell 206 · Coconut Creek, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 25, 2020 · N5013G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to recognize the illumination of the low-fuel caution light.
- [NTSB CEN20LA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA113.md): Bell 206 · Clark, MO · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 5, 2020 · N32AE · Substantial damage
  > The fatigue failure of the pneumatic line for reasons that could not be determined, which resulted in a loss of engine power and subsequent hard landing.
- [NTSB ERA19LA152](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19LA152.md): Bell 206 · Dublin, GA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 15, 2019 · N395AE · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power on takeoff due to separation of the diffuser assembly as a result of incomplete braze joint surfaces on the vane airfoils.
- [NTSB GAA18CA424](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA424.md): Bell 206 · New Castle, IN · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 16, 2018 · N39LR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to ensure that the fill hose was disconnected from the helicopter before takeoff, which resulted in the fill hose striking the tail rotor and the subsequent loss of tail rotor effectiveness. Contributing to the accident was inadequate…
- [NTSB GAA17CA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA132.md): Bell Helicopter Textron 206 · Carson City, NV · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 2, 2017 · N519EH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot-in-command’s delayed remedial action to arrest the right yaw after the bounced landing while operating in a flight regime conducive to the loss of tail rotor effectiveness, which resulted in a roll-over.
- [NTSB GAA16CA408](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA408.md): Bell Helicopter Textron 206 · Modesto, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 30, 2016 · N206LW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during an autorotation, which resulted in abnormal ground contact and main rotor contact with the tail boom. Contributing to the accident was the low fuel level which resulted in fuel starvation and a loss of…
- [NTSB WPR16LA125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA125.md): Bell 206 · Bishop, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 14, 2016 · N1076Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper preflight weather planning, fuel planning, and fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation and a loss of engine power. Contributing to the severity of the accident was the pilot's initiation of the landing flare at a high altitude,…
- [NTSB ERA15LA374](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA374.md): Bell 206 · Thomaston, GA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 20, 2015 · N165BH · Destroyed
  > The loss of tail rotor control due to a fractured pin in the tail rotor control system; the reason the pin fractured could not be determined as the fractured pin was lost in shipping.
- [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 ERA15LA138](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA138.md): Bell 206 · Sevierville, TN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 15, 2015 · N3176L · Substantial damage
  > An uncontained engine failure, which resulted from insufficient lubrication of the No. 4 bearing due to carbon buildup on the filter screen of the bearing's oil supply nozzle.
- [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 WPR14LA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA014.md): Bell Helicopter Textron 206L 1 · Seeley, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 11, 2013 · N206KK · Destroyed
  > The total loss of engine power due to the failure of the No. 4 bearing.
- [NTSB WPR13LA390](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA390.md): Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Payson, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 28, 2013 · N2018R · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power due to an overtemperature event that thermally damaged the turbine blades and vanes, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB WPR13CA329](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA329.md): Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Inyokern, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 13, 2013 · N123HP · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the pilot to maintain aircraft control during a practice autorotation maneuver and the pilot providing training's delayed remedial action which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the lack of communication between the…
- [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 CEN13LA310](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA310.md): Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · La Junta, CO · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 7, 2013 · N20Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind during low-altitude operations, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.
- [NTSB ANC13CA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC13CA041.md): Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Anaktuvuk Pass, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 1, 2013 · N1171 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain lateral control while hovering over an area of snow-covered terrain, in flat light conditions, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.
- [NTSB WPR13CA206](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA206.md): Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Grand Canyon, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 23, 2013 · N2072M · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the flight instructor and the pilot receiving instruction to recognize before entering the flare that the wind had shifted to a tailwind and terminate the practice autorotation.
- [NTSB WPR12LA408](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA408.md): Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Grand Canyon, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 9, 2012 · N5745Y · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power during descent for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident engine examinations and testing revealed no evidence of an anomaly that would have precluded normal operation.
- [NTSB CEN11LA356](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA356.md): Bell 206 · Walton, KS · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 26, 2011 · N1815 · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no anomalies.
- [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 WPR10CA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA064.md): Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Grand Canyon, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 23, 2009 · N177PA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter.
- [NTSB CEN10LA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA036.md): Bell 206 · High Island A-442A · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 1, 2009 · N272M · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to maintenance personnel's failure to correctly torque the Pc line following removal and reinstallation of the turbine module.
- [NTSB ERA09CA482](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA482.md): Bell 206 · Gumboro Township, DE · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 24, 2009 · N98KR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to secure the flight controls before exiting the running helicopter. Contributing to the accident was the operator’s practice of exiting the helicopter while it was still running.
- [NTSB CEN09LA413](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA413.md): Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Breckenridge, CO · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 2, 2009 · N38AZ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while maneuvering due to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to monitor wind direction while operating in the "Critical Wind Azimuth Area."
- [NTSB CEN09IA222](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09IA222.md): Bell 206 · Springfield, IL · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Mar 17, 2009 · N595AE · Minor damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the parked helicopter.
- [NTSB ANC08LA127](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC08LA127.md): Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Homer, AK · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 26, 2008 · N305MH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during an external load lift. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of situational awareness.
- [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 LAX08CA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA018.md): Bell 206L-1 · Ramona, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 25, 2007 · N412KK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control and correct a descent and a loss of tail rotor effectiveness while maneuvering at a low altitude and reduced airspeed.
- [NTSB DFW08IA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08IA002.md): Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Galveston, TX · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Oct 6, 2007 · N3899C · Minor damage
  > The loss of tail rotor control during initial takeoff climb due to the fracture of a tail rotor blade as result of impact with a foreign object.
- [NTSB DFW07LA171](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW07LA171.md): Bell 206L-1 · Marks, MS · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 28, 2007 · N90AE · Destroyed
  > The loss of control and hard landing as result of the loss of tail rotor effectiveness. A contributing factor was the prevailing dark night conditions.
- [NTSB DFW06LA197](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW06LA197.md): Bell 206L-1 · Ozona, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 12, 2006 · N601GM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's selection of an unsuitable terrain for landing. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain.
- [NTSB DFW06IA151](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW06IA151.md): Bell 206L-1 · South Pass 57 (Gulf of Mexico) · Incident · Serious injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Jun 6, 2006 · N272M · No damage
  > The passenger's failure to follow procedures associated with operations in the vicinity of the helicopter and his failure to see/avoid the tail rotor of the helicopter.
- [NTSB ANC06LA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC06LA066.md): Bell 206L-1 · Juneau, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 1, 2006 · N45RP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance from terrain while maneuvering in adverse weather conditions. Factors associated with the accident are the pilot's decision to continue flight into adverse weather, fog, whiteout and flat light…
- [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 CHI06LA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI06LA074.md): Bell 206L-1 · Chesterfield, IN · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 2, 2006 · N593AE · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control after becoming spatially disorientated shortly after departure. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight weather evaluation, his inadvertent flight into night instrument meteorological…
- [NTSB DFW05CA121](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05CA121.md): Bell 206L-1 · Georgetown, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 4, 2005 · N9877Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper flare resulting in a hard landing.
- [NTSB LAX05LA155](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05LA155.md): Bell 206L-1 · Peach Springs, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 2, 2005 · N3895D · Substantial damage
  > a loss of power for undetermined reasons.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?model=1182107&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 ('1182107'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?model=1182107

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