NTSB investigations: Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1
187 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
| 1978 | 1 |
|---|---|
| 1979 | 2 |
| 1980 | 5 |
| 1981 | 16 |
| 1982 | 7 |
| 1983 | 5 |
| 1984 | 9 |
| 1985 | 7 |
| 1986 | 4 |
| 1987 | 5 |
| 1988 | 13 |
| 1989 | 4 |
| 1990 | 4 |
| 1991 | 3 |
| 1992 | 1 |
| 1993 | 3 |
| 1994 | 2 |
| 1995 | 4 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 1997 | 5 |
| 1998 | 2 |
| 1999 | 5 |
| 2000 | 5 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 9 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 7 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 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 ('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."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 WPR26LA146Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Chimney Rock, MTThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from the terrain while performing a low altitude circling takeoff maneuver, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.NTSB WPR26FA082Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportBell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Kamas, UTOn January 18, 2026, about 1510 mountain standard time, a Bell 206L-1, N138DD, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Kamas, Utah. The pilot and three passengers received minor injuries. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14…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 ERA25LA027Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Canal Winchester, OHAn in-flight collision with a bird while in cruise flight.NTSB ERA24LA076Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Walland, TNThe improper installation of the No. 8 bearing spanner nut, which resulted in the No. 8 bearing’s failure, and the subsequent total loss of engine power.NTSB GAA24WA047Accident · Serious injuriesClass 5 · ForeignBell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · El Mirador, GuatemalaNTSB CEN23LA280Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Amity, MOThe pilot’s failure to see and avoid wires while conducting a low-level aerial application flight.NTSB WPR22LA340Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Banning, CAThe improper attachment of the tail rotor drive shaft to the air conditioner drive pulley without a drive ring, which resulted in the failure of the hardware, a loss of tail rotor drive, and the loss of control of the helicopter followed by a hard landing and…NTSB WPR21LA333Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Glide, ORThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a tree during an aerial application.NTSB ANC20CA070Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportBell 206L-1 · Homer, AKThe pilot's failure to see and avoid the boat's mast, which resulted in a main rotor blade strike. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight planning by not having the boat's mast measured.NTSB ERA20LA229Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell 206 · Coconut Creek, FLThe pilot’s inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to recognize the illumination of the low-fuel caution light.NTSB CEN20LA113Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell 206 · Clark, MOThe fatigue failure of the pneumatic line for reasons that could not be determined, which resulted in a loss of engine power and subsequent hard landing.NTSB ERA19LA152Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell 206 · Dublin, GAA partial loss of engine power on takeoff due to separation of the diffuser assembly as a result of incomplete braze joint surfaces on the vane airfoils.NTSB GAA18CA424Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 206 · New Castle, INThe pilot's failure to ensure that the fill hose was disconnected from the helicopter before takeoff, which resulted in the fill hose striking the tail rotor and the subsequent loss of tail rotor effectiveness. Contributing to the accident was inadequate…NTSB GAA17CA132Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron 206 · Carson City, NVThe pilot-in-command’s delayed remedial action to arrest the right yaw after the bounced landing while operating in a flight regime conducive to the loss of tail rotor effectiveness, which resulted in a roll-over.NTSB GAA16CA408Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron 206 · Modesto, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during an autorotation, which resulted in abnormal ground contact and main rotor contact with the tail boom. Contributing to the accident was the low fuel level which resulted in fuel starvation and a loss of…NTSB WPR16LA125Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206 · Bishop, CAThe pilot’s improper preflight weather planning, fuel planning, and fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation and a loss of engine power. Contributing to the severity of the accident was the pilot's initiation of the landing flare at a high altitude,…NTSB ERA15LA374Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206 · Thomaston, GAThe loss of tail rotor control due to a fractured pin in the tail rotor control system; the reason the pin fractured could not be determined as the fractured pin was lost in shipping.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 ERA15LA138Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206 · Sevierville, TNAn uncontained engine failure, which resulted from insufficient lubrication of the No. 4 bearing due to carbon buildup on the filter screen of the bearing's oil supply nozzle.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 WPR14LA014Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron 206L 1 · Seeley, CAThe total loss of engine power due to the failure of the No. 4 bearing.NTSB WPR13LA390Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Payson, AZA partial loss of engine power due to an overtemperature event that thermally damaged the turbine blades and vanes, which resulted in a hard landing.NTSB WPR13CA329Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Inyokern, CAThe failure of the pilot to maintain aircraft control during a practice autorotation maneuver and the pilot providing training's delayed remedial action which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the lack of communication between the…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 CEN13LA310Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · La Junta, COThe pilot's inadequate compensation for wind during low-altitude operations, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.NTSB ANC13CA041Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Anaktuvuk Pass, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain lateral control while hovering over an area of snow-covered terrain, in flat light conditions, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.NTSB WPR13CA206Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Grand Canyon, AZThe failure of the flight instructor and the pilot receiving instruction to recognize before entering the flare that the wind had shifted to a tailwind and terminate the practice autorotation.NTSB WPR12LA408Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Grand Canyon, AZA total loss of engine power during descent for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident engine examinations and testing revealed no evidence of an anomaly that would have precluded normal operation.NTSB CEN11LA356Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206 · Walton, KSA loss of engine power for undetermined reasons because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no anomalies.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 WPR10CA064Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Grand Canyon, AZThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter.NTSB CEN10LA036Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206 · High Island A-442AA total loss of engine power due to maintenance personnel's failure to correctly torque the Pc line following removal and reinstallation of the turbine module.NTSB ERA09CA482Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 206 · Gumboro Township, DEThe pilot’s failure to secure the flight controls before exiting the running helicopter. Contributing to the accident was the operator’s practice of exiting the helicopter while it was still running.NTSB CEN09LA413Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Breckenridge, COThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control while maneuvering due to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to monitor wind direction while operating in the "Critical Wind Azimuth Area."NTSB CEN09IA222Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBell 206 · Springfield, ILThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the parked helicopter.NTSB ANC08LA127Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Homer, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during an external load lift. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of situational awareness.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 LAX08CA018Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 206L-1 · Ramona, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain control and correct a descent and a loss of tail rotor effectiveness while maneuvering at a low altitude and reduced airspeed.NTSB DFW08IA002Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Galveston, TXThe loss of tail rotor control during initial takeoff climb due to the fracture of a tail rotor blade as result of impact with a foreign object.NTSB DFW07LA171Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1 · Marks, MSThe loss of control and hard landing as result of the loss of tail rotor effectiveness. A contributing factor was the prevailing dark night conditions.NTSB DFW06LA197Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1 · Ozona, TXThe pilot's selection of an unsuitable terrain for landing. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain.NTSB DFW06IA151Incident · Serious injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1 · South Pass 57 (Gulf of Mexico)The passenger's failure to follow procedures associated with operations in the vicinity of the helicopter and his failure to see/avoid the tail rotor of the helicopter.NTSB ANC06LA066Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1 · Juneau, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance from terrain while maneuvering in adverse weather conditions. Factors associated with the accident are the pilot's decision to continue flight into adverse weather, fog, whiteout and flat light…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 CHI06LA074Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1 · Chesterfield, INThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control after becoming spatially disorientated shortly after departure. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight weather evaluation, his inadvertent flight into night instrument meteorological…NTSB DFW05CA121Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 206L-1 · Georgetown, TXThe pilot's improper flare resulting in a hard landing.NTSB LAX05LA155Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1 · Peach Springs, AZa loss of power for undetermined reasons.