NTSB investigations: Bell 206L-3
93 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Bell 206L-3. 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, newest first
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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 ('1182108'))
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 ('1182108'))
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 FTW02LA064Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206L-3 · Grand Isle 74The pilot's misjudged landing flare. A contributing factor was the fatigue fracture of the PC air line due to the improper installation by company maintenance personnel, which resulted in a loss of engine power.NTSB FTW02LA019Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206L-3 · East Cameron 78The hard landing due to the pilot's failure to maintain proper main rotor rpm. Contributing factors were the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, and the pilot's failure to deploy the emergency floats.NTSB FTW01LA195Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206L-3 · Cameron, LAfuel contamination due to the combination of DIEGME, water, and bacterial growth, which resulted in formation of an apple-jelly type material that blocked the fuel nozzle screen and led to a loss of engine power.NTSB LAX01LA157Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206-L3 · Willcox, AZA loss of engine power due to the likely unporting of the fuel tank pickups as the helicopter was maneuvered to look at animals on the ground. Also causal was the pilot's misjudged touchdown point during an autorotational approach, which resulted in the…NTSB LAX01LA063Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206-L3 · Wilcox, AZThe pilot's incapacitation that resulted from nausea during the final approach to landing. The pilot collapsed on the cyclic, which precipitated inadvertent contact between the main rotor blades and the ground. Factors were hilly terrain on a dark night,…NTSB LAX00LA326Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B-3 · Salinas, CAThe pilot's inadequate visual surveillance of the worksite to see and avoid power transmission wires.NTSB DEN00LA124Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206L-3 · Logan, UTin-flight collision with a jacket, which blew out of the helicopter because the left passenger door was not properly secured prior to takeoff. A contributing factor was the pilot's failure to ensure the door was properly closed prior to takeoff.NTSB FTW00LA137Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206L3 · Salt MarshThe company mechanic's failure to replace the bolt's cotter key properly and the subsequent loss of the nut, which then resulted in the tail rotor control disconnection and the pilot's inability to maintain aircraft control.NTSB LAX00FA160Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportBell 206L-3 · Grand Canyon, AZA snow ingestion caused loss of engine power due to the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and failure to remove the accumulated snow from the engine inlet area. Also causal was the pilot's failure to maintain main rotor rpm while maneuvering to avoid…NTSB LAX00LA024Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206-L4 · Santa Clarita, CAThe pilot's delay in adding power during a power-on recovery from an autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing and rollover. The flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight was also causal.NTSB FTW99LA240Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206-L3 · Main Pass 225aThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the helicopter. A factor was the tailwind condition.NTSB FTW99LA077Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206L-3 · West Delta 105bThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the oil platform's windsock on final approach to landing.NTSB FTW98TA328Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportBell 206L-3 · Reklaw, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain proper alignment in that the external load was not centered during sling operation, which resulted in entanglement of the load with the landing gear, and the loss of aircraft control.NTSB ATL98FA080Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206L-3 · Indian Trail, NCThe pilot's failure to maintain altitude while operating in adverse weather. A contributing factor was the incoming fog and high tension static wire.NTSB FTW98FA239Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportBell 206L-3 · Springdale, ARThe failure of maintenance personnel to properly assemble the engine's accessory gearbox, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to partial blockage of the main oil passage by an o-ring. The blockage reduced oil flow to the turbine shafting, which…NTSB SEA98LA024Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206L · Idaho Falls, IDloss of engine power for undetermined reason(s). A factor relating to the accident included a dirt berm/ridge in the field where the pilot executed the forced landing.NTSB FTW97LA354Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206L-3 · Houma, LAThe loss of aircraft control resulting from a bird strike that severed the cyclic flight control.NTSB FTW97LA217Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206L-3 · Weston, COthe pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision and failure to maintain adequate altitude and/or clearance from rising mountainous/hilly terrain. The unfavorable wind condition and low airspeed were related factors.NTSB CHI97FA149Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportBell 206L3 · Boise, IDthe improper torque meter installation by maintenance personnel, attempting flight with known discrepancies by the pilot-in-command and the check airman, and an improper autorotation by the pilot-in-command with improper oversight of the autorotation maneuver…NTSB FTW97LA016Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206L-3 · Venice, LAa loss of engine power due to frogs being ingested into the engine as a result of the pilots failure to perform a thorough preflight, and the pilot's improper touchdown technique.NTSB FTW95FA308Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206-L3 · Borger, TXThe pilot's loss of control due to an encounter with a dust devil/whirlwind and the turbulence and high wind associated with thunderstorm outflow.NTSB FTW95FA186Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206L-3 · Venice, LALoss of engine power due to ingestion of exhaust fumes from an oil platform flare boom.NTSB FTW94GA232Accident · 3 fatalFinal reportBell 206L-3 · Mimbres, NMThe pilot's improper decision to attempt to hover out of ground effect under adverse conditions while exceeding the maximum allowable weight for that maneuver. Factors in the accident were: high density altitude and the tailwind.NTSB FTW94LA071Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206L-3 · Cascade, COThe pilot's improper in-flight planning which resulted in the aircraft's yaw performance being exceeded. A factor was the high density altitude.NTSB MIA94FA053Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206L3 · Arcadia, FLThe pilot-in-command's improper supervision of an unqualified pilot while attempting a takeoff to a hover. This resulted in an on ground loss of control (dynamic roll over). The improper flight control input (cyclic and collective) by the unqualified pilot…NTSB LAX93FA316Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportBell 206L1 · Tusayan, AZFailure of the pilot of N444CR to maintain adequate main rotor clearance from N38903, and the operator's failure to provide adequate or recommended safe helipad dimensions. A factor in the accident was the lack of visual reference to the rotating blades of…NTSB LAX93GA270Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportBell 206L-3 · Agoura Hills, CAThe improper configuration of the aerial ignition device by the crew chief and an inadvertent activation of the unit by the pilot. The improper installation and configuration of the unit by maintenance personnel, inadequate crew coordination, and insufficient…NTSB FTW93FA192Accident · Minor injuriesField investigationFinal reportBell 206L-3 · West Monroe, LAThe pilot's inadequate planning and preparation prior to takeoff, and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance. Factors were the fog and low ceilingNTSB FTW92LA166Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206L-3 · Ponca City, OKThe pilot's failure to maintain main rotor RPM. A factor was the contaminated fuel.NTSB LAX92LA254Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206-L3 · Waikoloa, HIFailure of the rear landing gear cross tube due to corrosion.NTSB FTW92FA112Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206L-3 · Venice, LAThe pilot's incapacitation due to food poisoning.NTSB FTW92LA070Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206L-3 · South Pelto #1The pilot's inability to control the helicopter due to spatial disorientation. Factors were the fog and the pilot's failure to receive a weather briefing prior to the flight.NTSB FTW92LA062Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206L-3 · E.I. Blk 108The pilot's failure to maintain altitude above the water. Factors were the pilot attempting flight into known adverse weather conditions of fog and low ceilings during dawn light conditions.NTSB DEN89MA130Accident · 4 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportBell 206L-3 · Big Timber, MTFailure of the pilot to maintain control of the aircraft during takeoff, due to spatial disorientation, which resulted in a collision with the terrain. Contributing factors were: dark night, pilot's visual perception, inadequate initial training of the pilot…NTSB DEN89FA019Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206L-3 · Deckers, COWhile on a corporate flt thru a canyon in marginal wx conds, the helicopter collided with the static portion of a power transmission line & crashed. The acdnt occurred where a 2,554 ft span of the power line crossed the south platte river. The power line…NTSB MKC88IA025Incident · Minor injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBell 206L-3 · Little Rock, ARAn EMS helo was consumed in a fire while parked at a hospital heliport. The helo had recently returned fm a medevac flt and the on-board patient oxygen pressure was low. Two respiratory therapists participated in refilling the system after the flt. The system…NTSB LAX87LA255Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206L-3 · Benson, AZA Bell helicopter 206L-3 collided with wires while maneuvering over an underground telephone cable. The plt indicated that he had just completed a 360 deg right turn at the request of the pax and was aprx 185 deg through the second turn when he struck a…NTSB DEN85LA053Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206-L3 · Jackson, WYPlt had landed on prepared area (snow packed down by heli ski guide) to embark ski passengers. On departure plt lifted to hover, turned to desired hdg and initiated forward transition. As acft passed boundry of packed snow, rotor wash picked up soft loose…NTSB DEN84FA290Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportBell 206L-3 · Denver, COPlt had slowed the helicopter to 30 KIAS using 50 to 60% pwr at an alt of 700 ft AGL. Plt the heard 'two beeps' from the eng out warning horn, saw eng out annunciator lights illuminate & the 'turbine neddle dropping.' Plt 'bottomed'the collective, lowering…NTSB DEN84LA093Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206L-3 · Lake City, COThe helicopter took off in marginal VMC conditions at close to conditions requiring maximum performance for takeoff. The plt attempted to hover at 90 percent RPM waiting he said 'for a breeze'. The hover stirred up snow causing a whiteout and loss of visual…NTSB LAX84FA032Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportBell 206L-3 · Grand Canyon, AZWhile on a non-revenue business flt, the plt noted a partial loss of power with the N1 dropping to 70% RPM & the torque decreasing to 10%. He was unable to restore power & subsequently made a forced landing in the Grand Canyon. The landing was made on an…NTSB LAX83LA117Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell BH 206-L111 · Peach Springs, AZAfter the rotorcraft took off to a hover the pilot did a pedal turn for a down canyon departure. After the hover turn the pilot slid to the right to clear some obstacles and when the rotorcraft moved laterally about 25 feet the pilot heard a bang. The left…NTSB FTW83FA097Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 206L-3 · Goliad, TXThe helicopter collided with trees and the ground in an attempt to reverse directions at low alt & at night after encountering weather. The plt had received a weather briefing and knew the weather was bad with low ceilings and fog. Heradioed he could make it…