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Fatal NTSB investigations: Bell 205A-1

18 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Bell 205A-1. 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.

Defining event

Finding

Phase of flight

Aircraft model

Cases per year

19722026

Where

Latest cases

Query with 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 ('1181414')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC

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.\"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 ('1181414'))
  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."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 ('1181414'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC

Run 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 LAX07TA227Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBell 205 A1++ · Happy Camp, CAthe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the trees during a long-line operation. Contributing factors were the Forest Service's inadequate communication between crews, failure to properly assess the safety of the intended drop zone, reduced visibility…Jul 23, 2007 · N205BR · Destroyed NTSB SEA04TA158Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBell 205A1 · Leavenworth, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the snag while hovering out of ground effect during an external load operation. Factors were the smoke jumper's misjudgment of the tree heights in the area, which resulted in the use of too short a long line, and…Aug 11, 2004 · N205XP · Destroyed NTSB LAX98GA127Accident · 4 fatalFinal reportBell 205A-1 · Los Angeles, CAAn excessive bending load applied to the tail rotor blade assembly of an undetermined origin which produced a fatigue crack, the separation of the assembly, and a forced landing. Factors were the lack of suitable terrain to perform a forced landing, the…Mar 23, 1998 · N90230 · Destroyed NTSB LAX97GA325Accident · 3 fatalFinal reportBell 205A-1 · Sequim, WAthe pilot's intentional flight into known adverse weather conditions in mountainous terrain.Sep 12, 1997 · N90HJ · Destroyed NTSB ATL90FA100Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 205A-1 · Moncks Corner, SCThe in-flight separation of the main rotor because of the failure of a pillow block bolt, and the failure of the operator/repair station to follow the overhaul procedures.Apr 20, 1990 · N67HJ · Destroyed NTSB LAX85FA115Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 205A-1 · Newhall, CAThis helicopter collided with hilly terrain while circling at a low altitude. It was following another helicopter in a clockwise circular pattern at the time, and being filmed for the t.v. series 'air wolf'. One witness observed the helicopter decending in…Jan 18, 1985 · N830V · Destroyed NTSB LAX82FA005Accident · 1 fatalClosedBell 205A-1 · Fremont, CAOct 22, 1981 · N1496W · Destroyed NTSB FTW80FA100Accident · 13 fatalClosedBell 205A-1 · Houma, LAAug 6, 1980 · N95AL · Destroyed NTSB FTW80FA093Accident · 1 fatalClosedBell 205A-1 · Arcola, TXJul 18, 1980 · N6207N · Destroyed NTSB ANC79FA002Accident · 2 fatalClosedBell 205A-1 · Kenai, AKOct 8, 1978 · N2215W · Destroyed NTSB UNK78X0132Accident · 1 fatalClosedBell 205A · Dennison, CanadaAug 18, 1978 · N480AS · Destroyed NTSB FTW76AF087Accident · 12 fatalClosedBell 205-A1 · Gulf Of Mexico (Gulf of Mexico)Apr 23, 1976 · N8167J · Destroyed NTSB SEA76OS004Accident · 1 fatalClosedBell 205A-1 · Celtiberia, PeruNov 18, 1975 · N59438 · Substantial damage NTSB SEA75FYE24Accident · 1 fatalClosedBell 205-A1 · Marblemount, WANov 4, 1974 · N59436 · Destroyed NTSB ANC75AA035Accident · 3 fatalClosedBell 205A · Medfra, AKOct 9, 1974 · N2970W · Destroyed NTSB DEN74AD003Accident · 1 fatalClosedBell 205A-1 · Luna, NMJul 24, 1973 · N83044 · Substantial damage NTSB LAX73AL008Accident · 6 fatalClosedBell 205-A1 · Ojai, CAAug 26, 1972 · N8119J · Destroyed NTSB FTW72AF081Accident · 11 fatalClosedBell 205A-1 · Dulac, LAMay 29, 1972 · N2256W · Destroyed