NTSB investigations: Bell 206B
26 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Bell 206B, where the first occurrence was “Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction”. 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 | 3 |
|---|---|
| 1983 | 3 |
| 1984 | 3 |
| 1986 | 2 |
| 1987 | 1 |
| 1991 | 2 |
| 1993 | 1 |
| 1994 | 1 |
| 1995 | 2 |
| 1997 | 1 |
| 1998 | 2 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 2 |
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.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('1181511')
AND EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o.case_mkey = x.case_mkey AND o.aircrafts_position = x.position AND o.\"occurrenceNumber\" = 1 AND o.\"occurrenceCode\" = 130))
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."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('1181511')
AND EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o.case_mkey = x.case_mkey AND o.aircrafts_position = x.position AND o."occurrenceNumber" = 1 AND o."occurrenceCode" = 130))
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 MIA07LA148Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B3 · Lakeland, FLThe failure of company maintenance personnel to replace the tail rotor drive shafts following tail rotor blade damage in 1999, the failure of maintenance personnel to replace the tail rotor drive shafts in 2004, following their knowledge that the tail rotor…NTSB NYC07LA188Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Warrenton, VAThe flight instructor's failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm during touchdown.NTSB MIA06LA123Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Pompano Beach, FLThe pilot's improper landing flare during a precautionary landing. A factor in the accident was the unusual noise as a result of an improper repaired air conditioner compressor system.NTSB FTW03LA080Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Putnam, TXthe pilot's failure to properly interpret and confirm a faulty tachometer instrument indication and his improper flare during the ensuing precautionary autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing. Also causal was the failure of the tachometer.NTSB SEA02LA137Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Elsie, ORThe shattering and separation of the forward right (pilot's) windscreen for undetermined reason(s).NTSB ANC98TA125Accident · No injuriesFinal reportBell 206B II · Chickaloon, AKA fracture of the main rotor drag pin assembly.NTSB FTW98LA260Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Corpus Christi, TXThe failure of the tail rotor drive shaft due to the separation of a bolt at one of the drive shaft disc couplings for an undetermined reason, which resulted in the pilot's inability to maintain directional control during landing.NTSB FTW97LA326Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Oak Grove, LAThe disconnect of the #5 tail rotor drive segment due to the debonding of the joint between the shaft tube and the flange fitting. Factors were the improper bead blasting of the tail rotor drive segment by an unknown maintenance personnel, and the lack of…NTSB MIA95TA230Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportBell 206B · Culebra, PRthe failure of company maintenance personnel to insure the tail rotor gearbox attach bolts were properly torqued.NTSB LAX95LA146Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Pacific Ocean (Pacific Ocean)the loss of tail rotor control for undetermined reasons.NTSB MIA94LA144Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B · St. Petersburg, FLThe failure of the number five bearing, shaft, or thomas coupling for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the pilot-in-command's delayed response in conducting the emergency procedure by not reducing the throttle to idle position, and…NTSB LAX94LA075Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B-III · Flagstaff, AZThe pilot's improper initiation of an emergency autorotation into unsuitable terrain and subsequent hard landing and rollover. A false annunciator indication, a failure of the N1 tach generator, the pilot's continued flight with a known aircraft defect, and…NTSB DEN91FA068Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportBell 206B-3 · Houston, TXEngine mount delamination and lack lubrication, causing the drive shaft to fail. Poor servicing of the helicopter was a related factor.NTSB FTW91FA070Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206B · So. Marsh 275The inflight structural failure and separation of the vertical fin which led to a loss of control and mast bumping. The failure of the fin was due to inadequate corrosion control efforts by the operator.NTSB FTW87FA198Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Pledger, TXWhile cruising at 900' AGL, the plt noted a hvy shudder flwd by a grinding noise, loud 'bang' & a low rotor RPM signal. He made an autorotation to a road, but drg touchdown, the main rotor blades flexed dwn & severed the tail boom. An exam revealed the main…NTSB FTW86FA085Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Pine Spring, TXThe helicopter was on a flt to a site nr guadalupe pass, an area known for erratic & gusty wnds. As the plt was on an apch to a hi meadow (elev aprx 5460'), the helicopter entered a dscnt & crashed well short of the intended lndg area. A witness rprtd the…NTSB FTW86FA033Accident · Minor injuriesField investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Port O'Connor, TXThe helicopter sustained a loss of tailrotor drive on lift off. A bonding in a shaft coupling failed. Extensive research and analysis discovered no discrepancies in design, production, quality assurance, maintenance or operating environment that could have…NTSB FTW85FA032Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Lane City, TXDuring cruise at 600 ft AGL a bang was heard & acft experienced a vibration. When turning toward a fld to land a second bang was heard & vibration ceased. However, an uncommanded rt yaw was experienced & the nose began to tuck under. Acft contacted terrain…NTSB DEN84FA207Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Englewood, COWitnesses stated the helicopter entered a 'hard left turn' into a near inverted position before 'it went down hard and fast.' Inspection disclosed the metal connection for the left cyclic stick was broken in half. (Plt was flying from left seat.) Exam of the…NTSB DEN84LA124Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Farmington, NMWhile climbing, there was a heavy smell of fuel. At aprx 150 ft AGL on a precautionary landing, the eng quit. The helicopter impacted hard, collapsing the skids, & the main rotor blades sheared of the tail boom. During an investigation, the fuel hose b-nut…NTSB FTW83LA369Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Grand Isle BlkWhile flaring to land on an off-shore platform, the plt noted a sudden vibration. He continued the landing; however, by the time the helicopter touched down, the vibration became severe & the acft turned to the right. An exam revealed that a midspan balance…NTSB FTW83LA371Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Venice, LAThe acft landed hard during an autorotation landing. The plt said he could not control the engine RPM with RPM switch onthe collective or the manual throttle control. N2 tended to go over 100 percent. The plt notified his company and planned for an…NTSB ATL83LA294Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Nr Gatlinburg, TNThe plt reported that he was beginning his apch to a landing site at an elevation of 5200 ft when he felt a bump in the tail rotor pedals. The helicopter begun to spin to the right & the plt found he has no tail rotor control. An autorotative landing was made…NTSB FTW82FRJ17Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportBell 206B · Jamestown, LAThe pilot was conducting aerial burning operations over a wooded area when he heard a loud bang from the engine area of the helicopter. At that time, the helicopter was approximately 20 ft above the tallest tree in the area with the aerial torch burning. The…NTSB FTW82DA342Accident · No injuriesFinal reportBell 206B · Port Mansfield, TXThe helicopter was being ferried to shore from an oil rig when the tailrotor gear box failed and separated from the aircraft. The pilot autorotated to the water. Upon water contact the helicopter rolled over. The pilot had called his skipper on the radio as…NTSB FTW82DA323Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportBell 206B · Grand Isle, LAThe pilot was approaching an offshore platform for landing at about 100 ft AGL when he felt the helicopter shudder. He also heard an engine-out horn and a low-rotor-rpm warning. He turned away from the platform, popped the emergency floats and initiated an…