NTSB investigations: Bell 205A-1, CA

8 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.

Cases per year

19722026
NTSB investigations: Bell 205A-1, CA per year, 1972–2026: 8 cases
19721
19751
19811
19851
19981
19991
20071
20111

Latest 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.\"eventStateOrRegion\" = 'CA' AND c.\"eventCountry\" = 'USA'
    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.

NTSB WPR11GA431Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportBell 205 · Tehachapi, CAThe pilot's inability to adequately execute an emergency autorotation due to the flight's low altitude during external load operations, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was a torsionally overstressed tachometer shaft, which sent…Sep 4, 2011 · N205WW · Substantial damageNTSB 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 · DestroyedNTSB LAX99TA066Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportBell 205A-1 · Van Nuys, CAA loss of engine power due to an undetermined component failure in the second stage power turbine nozzle area. Factors in the accident were the mountainous/hilly nature of the terrain and the dark night lighting conditions which precluded the pilot from…Jan 3, 1999 · N58126 · Substantial damageNTSB 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 · DestroyedNTSB 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 · DestroyedNTSB LAX82FA005Accident · 1 fatalClosedBell 205A-1 · Fremont, CAOct 22, 1981 · N1496W · DestroyedNTSB OAK7LDVD10Accident · Minor injuriesClosedBell 205A-1 · Byron, CASep 3, 1975 · N2969W · Substantial damageNTSB LAX73AL008Accident · 6 fatalClosedBell 205-A1 · Ojai, CAAug 26, 1972 · N8119J · Destroyed