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NTSB investigations: Bell 206B, AZ

27 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Bell 206B. 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.

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Cases per year

19692026

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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."eventStateOrRegion" = 'AZ' 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 ('1181511')) 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.\"eventStateOrRegion\" = 'AZ' 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 ('1181511'))
  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."eventStateOrRegion" = 'AZ' 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 ('1181511'))
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 WPR19FA109Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell 206 · Fort McDowell, AZThe separation of the main rotor head from the mast as a result of a sudden displacement of the cyclic stick during a low-G maneuver, leading to mast bumping. Contributing to the accident were the unsecure positioning of the flight test engineer’s laptop…Apr 16, 2019 · N61PH · Destroyed NTSB WPR19TA061Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3Final reportBell 206 · Yuma, AZThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power transmission wires while flying at low altitude in nighttime conditions.Jan 12, 2019 · N88HC · Substantial damage NTSB WPR17LA019Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Yuma, AZThe pilot’s inability to maintain helicopter control after its skid got caught on the landing pad while he was maneuvering the helicopter to land on it, which resulted in a dynamic roll-over.Nov 11, 2016 · N914HH · Substantial damage NTSB WPR11CA243Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 206B3 · Glendale, AZThe certified flight instructor's failure to maintain adequate main rotor RPM during the autorotation.May 27, 2011 · N59383 · Substantial damage NTSB LAX04LA249Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Mesa, AZthe pilot's failure to adequately clear the left skid of obstacles resulting in a dynamic rollover of the helicopter and collision with terrain. A factor in the accident was the dark nighttime lighting conditions.Jun 25, 2004 · N97AZ · Substantial damage NTSB ANC03LA015Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Kingman, AZThe pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance from obstacles during cruise flight, which resulted in the helicopter striking a transmission line, and subsequently the ground.Nov 15, 2002 · N16962 · Substantial damage NTSB LAX99FA136Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Grand Canyon, AZThe failure of the flight crew to properly preflight the helicopter and to detect and remove accumulated snow from the engine inlets and plenum chamber. Factors in the accident were the clouded plenum chamber inspection window and the failure of preceding…Apr 1, 1999 · N992UC · Destroyed NTSB LAX98LA139Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Grand Canyon, AZThe malfunction and erratic speed control of the engine's governor, and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action.Apr 20, 1998 · N8533F · Substantial damage NTSB LAX97LA030Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Supai, AZimproper routing of the external cargo hoist cable (over helicopter skid), which resulted in lateral imbalance and roll-over of the helicopter, as weight on the cable became effective.Nov 1, 1996 · N90144 · Destroyed NTSB LAX94T#A06Accident · No injuriesClass 3Final reportBell 206-B3 · Tucson, AZJul 1, 1994 · N10800 · Destroyed NTSB LAX94LA090Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Coolidge Dam, AZthe pilot's selection of a cruise altitude insufficient to ensure adequate obstacle clearance and his inadequate visual lookout. A factor in the accident was the inconspicuousness of the power lines.Jan 4, 1994 · N771GM · Destroyed 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…Dec 11, 1993 · N2773R · Substantial damage NTSB LAX93LA107Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Parks, AZ1) The pilot not obtaining forecast weather for his route of flight nor his destination 2) the pilot's inflight decision to fly into snow with the helicopter's engine air induction particle separator kit not installed, as required by the Bell 206B pilot's…Jan 30, 1993 · N855B · Substantial damage NTSB LAX90T#A08Accident · No injuriesClass 3Final reportBell 206B · San Carlos, AZJul 10, 1990 · N5006Y · Substantial damage NTSB LAX89FA203Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Camp Verde, AZFailure of the pilot to maintain adequate altitude to clear obstructions in his flight path and visually detect obstructions in order to avert a collision.May 25, 1989 · N49608 · Destroyed NTSB DCA86AA028Accident · 25 fatalFinal reportde Havilland DHC-6-300 · Grand Canyon, AZAt about 0933 MST, Dehavilland DHC-6, N76GC, (owned & operated by Canyon airlines) & bell 206B, N6TC, (operated by heliteck) collided while on sightseeing flts over the Grand Canyon national park. After colliding in flt, both acft crashed & burned in the…Jun 18, 1986 · N76GC · 2 aircraft · Destroyed NTSB LAX86FA106Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Young, AZThe plt & his daughter planned to fly to their ranch for the purpose of hiring a manager. Upon arriving at their destination ground fog prevailed. The plt, familiar with the area, attempted to find an area where he could descend below the fog. The fog was at…Feb 3, 1986 · N3193T · Destroyed NTSB LAX85FA315Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206-B · Page, AZOn July 12, 1984, a Bell 206B helicopter collided with a steel bridge 10 miles so of Page, AZ. The helicopter was being filmed in flt during the making of a movie. VMC existed at the time. The helicopter was destroyed and the plt and pax, an italian actor,…Jul 12, 1985 · N38942 · Destroyed NTSB LAX85LA299Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B3 · Grand Canyon, AZDuring a movie filming flight, the helicopter was acting as the camera platform and filming a fixed wing aircraft during a straight in appraoch to the airport, the plt of the helicopter requested a right 180 degree turn at mid field to land at the north…Jun 28, 1985 · N2766Y · Substantial damage NTSB LAX81DUJ66Accident · No injuriesClosedBell 206B · Kayenta, AZJun 11, 1981 · N5008L · Substantial damage NTSB LAX81FUJ29Accident · Serious injuriesClosedBell 206B · Phoenix, AZJan 15, 1981 · N5018K · Destroyed NTSB LAX80DUJ45Accident · Minor injuriesClosedBell 206B · Ashfork, AZApr 10, 1980 · N777PS · Destroyed NTSB LAX79FA064Accident · Minor injuriesClosedBell 206B · Grand Canyon, AZAug 3, 1979 · N8533F · Substantial damage NTSB LAX79FUJ24Accident · Serious injuriesClosedBell 206 · Phoenix, AZDec 21, 1978 · N2964W · Destroyed NTSB LAX75DUJ55Accident · No injuriesClosedBell 206B · Glendale, AZJan 14, 1975 · N59383 · Substantial damage NTSB LAX75DUJ61Accident · No injuriesClosedBell 206B · Payson, AZMay 28, 1974 · N4715R · Substantial damage NTSB LAX70D0198Accident · No injuriesClosedBell 47G3B1 · Parker, AZNov 5, 1969 · N614 · Substantial damage