# NTSB ANC24FA089: Bell 206B, N306FW, King Salmon, AK, September 7, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report - Date: September 7, 2024, 09:24 local (17:24 UTC) - Place: King Salmon, AK · Into the Naknek river - Coordinates: 58.659147, -156.64661 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.6591&lon=-156.6466&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal, 4 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 195072 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC24FA089 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195072/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195072 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24FA089 ## Probable cause The pilot’s decision to initiate the visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation, failure to maintain helicopter control and subsequent impact with water. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: low visibility](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035015/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 175 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035015/cases.md) - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: below VFR minima](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035075): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035075/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035075/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; cases with it: [Bell 206B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Perception/orientation/illusion: spatial disorientation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022025): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022025/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022025/cases.md) - [Perception/orientation/illusion: situational awareness](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035/cases.md) - [Perception/orientation/illusion: visual illusion/disorientation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022015): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot; cases with it: [Bell 206B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022015/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 51 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 392 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The commercial, instrument-rated pilot was departing under special visual flight rules clearance in instrument meteorological conditions. Shortly after takeoff the pilot encountered a dense fog bank while flying over the calm water of a river. He stated he attempted to turn around, but he lost his visual reference with the river. The pilot stated he then attempted to climb but became disoriented and a few seconds later the helicopter impacted the water. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of any preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On September 7, 2024, about 0924 Alaska daylight time, a Bell 206B helicopter, N306FW, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near King Salmon, Alaska. A passenger was fatally injured; the pilot and three passengers sustained minor injuries. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 flight. The accident helicopter, owned and operated by Egli Air Haul, was transporting four passengers to a sport fishing camp located to the south of the King Salmon Airport (AKN). According to archived FAA data, the accident pilot contacted the AKN control tower specialist on duty to request a special visual flight rules (SVFR) clearance to depart to the south. The controller on duty issued the pilot a SVFR clearance and instructed the pilot to report clear of the Class D airspace to the south. The helicopter then departed to the south. Shortly after the helicopter departed, the control tower specialist received a phone call from an observer to the south of the airport indicating that a helicopter had just crashed into the Naknak River, near Grassy Point. The control tower specialist then attempted to reach the departing helicopter, but no further radio communications were received. The pilot reported encountering a very dense fog bank while flying over the calm water of the Naknek River; he subsequently lost all visual reference and became disoriented when he attempted to climb. The helicopter then descended and subsequently impacted the surface of the river. Witnesses reported that it was foggy at the airport before the helicopter departed. One witness, who was walking along the riverbank, reported that it was so foggy that she could not see the opposite side of the river. This witness saw the helicopter just before the impact and stated it was flying less the 100 ft above the water. The passenger who was fatally injured was unable to exit the helicopter when the helicopter went under the water. The passenger was in the front left seat using a 4-point seatbelt restraint system. The fuselage was intact with all major components still attached. The tail rotor blades, and gear box were undamaged. Cyclic and collective flight controls were traced from the cockpit controls to the pitch control rods attached to the main rotor hub assembly. Anti-torque control (yaw) was traced from the anti-torque pedals to the tail rotor with fractures consistent with impact damage at the bottom and top of the flight control “broom closet.” Tail rotor pitch control operated smoothly and freely. No damage was observed with the flight control hydraulic servos. All hoses were attached and undamaged. All fuel, oil, and electrical lines in the engine compartment were undamaged and connected. The fuel control unit was undamaged. Throttle control from the cockpit was traced to the fuel control unit. Rotational scoring was observed on the tail rotor drive shaft under the engine and on the input shaft to the K-flex. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N306FW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N306FW), registered now, S/N 3940, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 206B - Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison 250-C20 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (registry code 03020, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 3940 - Year built: 1986 - Airframe hours: 27792.6 - Engines: ALLISON R-250-C20J 317 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 135 - Operator: Egli Air Haul Inc - Registered owner: Egli Air Haul Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 18, 2024, 74 hours before - Departed: AKN, King Slamon, AK - Destination: PVT, Nakalilok Bay, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR - Equipment: Handheld GPS, ADS-B, Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 20, 2023; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 3,077 total, 2,392 in this make and model, 2,913 as pilot in command, 188 in the last 90 days, 81 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 5 knots - Visibility: 0.25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 200 ft indefinitevv - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: PAKN, 1 nm away - METAR: PAKN 071654Z 17005KT 1/4SM R12/2000V2200FT FG VV002 07/07 A2997 RMK AO2 SLP150 T00670067 ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20240907012279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240907012279A), Sep 7, 2024: Bell 206B, King Salmon, AK, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. On September 7, 2024, about 0924 Alaska daylight time, a Bell 206B helicopter, [privacy data omitted], sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 20, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195072. 13.8 MB in all. - Meteorology specialist's factual report (item 1, PDF, 23 pages, 2.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18855635&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WX_ANC24FA089_Specialists_Factual-Rel.pdf - Meteorology specialist's factual report - attachment 1 (item 2, PDF, 133 pages, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18856142&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WX_ANC24FA089_Attachment_1-Rel.pdf - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 3, PDF, 11 pages, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18061508&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC24FA089%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot's statement (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 122 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18062128&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Bobs_statement_6FW_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Witness statements (item 5, PDF, 4 pages, 93 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18062138&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC24FA089%20Witness%20comb-Rel.pdf - Wreckage exam (item 6, PDF, 22 pages, 4.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18245750&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC24LA089%20Field%20notes-Rel.pdf - Release of wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 7, PDF, 2 pages, 70 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18062283&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Wreckage%20Release%20Form%20ANC24FA089_Redacted-Rel.pdf From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- 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.