Fatal NTSB investigations: Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1
39 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-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.
Cases per year
| 1982 | 1 |
|---|---|
| 1985 | 2 |
| 1986 | 2 |
| 1987 | 2 |
| 1988 | 3 |
| 1989 | 1 |
| 1990 | 1 |
| 1991 | 2 |
| 1993 | 1 |
| 1995 | 2 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 1997 | 3 |
| 1999 | 1 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
Where
Open the mapLatest cases
Query with SQL
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 ('1182107'))
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 ('1182107'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESCRun 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 CEN25FA281Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Thibodaux, LAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance to powerlines during an agricultural application pass.NTSB ERA15FA173Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron 206 L-1 · Saucier, MSA loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined due to postaccident fire damage.NTSB CEN15FA003Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron 206L 1 · Wichita Falls, TXThe 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 ERA13FA273Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Manchester, KYThe 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 CEN10FA509Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Walnut Grove, ARThe pilot’s loss of aircraft control, due to spatial disorientation, resulting in the in-flight separation of the main rotor and tail boom.NTSB CHI08FA269Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1 · Greensburg, INThe 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 DCA08WA059Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationBell 206 L-1 · Muanda, Congo - KinshasaNTSB DFW08FA053Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206L1 · Venice, LAThe 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 DFW06FA083Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1 · Patterson, LAThe 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 DFW05FA073Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206-L1 · Gentry, ARThe pilot’s improper decision to maneuver in an environment conducive to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.NTSB FTW04FA186Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206 L-1 · Cameron, LAThe helicopter's in-flight collision with water for undetermined reasons.NTSB FTW04FA168Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206-L1 · Vermillion Bay, LAThe 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 CHI04FA107Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1 · Boonville, INThe 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 CHI03FA056Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1 · B.S. 53, LAThe improper approach by the pilot and the settling with power encountered by the pilot.NTSB CHI02FA288Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1 · Doland, SDPilot 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 ATL02FA048Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1 · New Smyrna Bch., FLThe 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 LAX00GA286Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBell 206L-1 · Montello, NVThe loss of control in hovering flight and impact with terrain for undetermined reasons.NTSB FTW00RA039Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationBell 206-L1 · Cabinda, AngolaNTSB FTW97RA323Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationBell 206L-1 · Arica, PeruNTSB LAX97GA235Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBell BHT-206L-1 · Highland, CALoss 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 FTW97FA208Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Intracoastl Cty, LAThe 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 NYC96GA083Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportBell 206L-1 · Charleston, WVthe 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 LAX95FA339Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1 · Irvine, CAthe 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 LAX95FA313Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206-L1 · Johnsondale, CAthe 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 BFO94FA013Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1 · Portland, METhe 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#08Accident · 1 fatalClass 3Final reportBell 206L-1 · Lake Alpine, CANTSB FTW91FA035Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1 · S Tim Blk 198For undetermined reason(s), the helicoper crashed at sea (gulf of Mexico) in an area with a low ceiling, rain, and thunderstorms.NTSB FTW90FA178Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell B206LI · Port O'Connor, TXThe 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 FTW89FA133Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAerospatiale AS-350-D · Galveston, TXFailure of both pilots to see-and-avoid the other aircraft (inadequate visual lookout).NTSB MKC89FA043Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1 · Cape Girardeau, MOThe 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 LAX89LA073Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1 · Oakland, CAPilots 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 NYC88FA166Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1 · Springtown, PAWhile 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 DEN87FA147Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1 · Choteau, MTThe 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 FTW87LA057Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1 · Matagorda 665The 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 SEA87MA034Accident · 3 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1 · Pendleton, ORThe 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 ATL87MA035Accident · 4 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1 · Jamestown, TNThe 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 LAX86MA050Accident · 1 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1 · San Pedro, CATwo 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 MKC86FA020Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1 · Mansfield, MOAfter 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 FTW82FA041Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell Helicopter 206L-1 · Houma, LAThe 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…