Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1

Aircraft Manufacturer: Bell Helicopter Textron

Model: 206L-1

Aircraft Details

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer Bell Helicopter Textron
Manufacturer Serial Number 1182107
Model 206L-1
Category Land
Aircraft Type Rotorcraft
Weight Class 1 (Up to 12,499 lbs gross take off weight)
Engine Type Turbo-shaft
Number of Engines 1 engine
Number of Seats 7 seats
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Safety Analysis

Composition of NTSB accident records for this model in general-aviation operations (FAR Part 91 and 137), based on NTSB data as of May 1, 2026. It's a breakdown of recorded accidents rather than a safety rating, and types with significant non-GA operation (such as Part 135) may be under-represented.

100%
Identity Confirmed

Accidents are identity-confirmed against FAA registration records (two independent sources).


14 exact, 10 recovered, 0 provisional

Methodology
24
Recorded GA Accidents

Total recorded general-aviation accidents within the analyzed period.


5 fatal accidents.

20.8% of recorded accidents were fatal.

149
Currently Registered

Active aircraft fleet size contributing to the exposure data.


3,226 (± 420)

Aircraft-years of FAA registration exposure (2008–present).


Comparison

Within its peer cohort

Within this model's peer class (same aircraft type, engine class, and seat range), comparison of its share of recorded NTSB accidents to its share of FAA registration exposure (aircraft-years since 2008).

This is a share comparison, not flight-hours adjusted, so a model flown more per airframe than its peers will show an accident share above its exposure share even if its per-hour safety is average. Methodology →

Model class Share of cohort
Accidents
26.7%
Exposure
12.7%
Time series

Accidents by year

Recorded NTSB general-aviation accidents per calendar year, derived directly from the NTSB accident database. Each bar shows the accidents that occurred in that year. Methodology →

Investigations take 12–36 months to finalise, so the trailing years come in incomplete. Recent years are adjusted upward for that lag. Observed counts show as solid bars, the lag-adjusted estimate shows hatched.

2008 – 2026 Total 24
Accidents by year Accidents by year (total 24 observed): 2008 1, 2009 3, 2010 1, 2011 1, 2012 1, 2013 4, 2015 3, 2016 1, 2017 1, 2018 1, 2021 1, 2022 1, 2023 2, 2025 1, 2026 2. 2 4 6 8 0 1 '08 3 '09 1 '10 1 '11 1 '12 4 '13 3 '15 1 '16 1 '17 1 '18 1 '21 1 '22 2 '23 1 '25 6 '26
Composition

Phase of flight

Which phase of flight each accident occurred in, as coded by the NTSB. Most accidents happen in the phases where most flying time is concentrated, so this isn't a measure of which phase is most dangerous.

8 categories Total 24
Maneuvering 6
Landing 6
Takeoff 4
Enroute 3
Emergency descent 2
Standing 1
Taxi 1
Approach 1
Causes

Finding category

Top-level NTSB cause category, from the coded investigation findings. An accident often has more than one finding, so totals here can exceed the recorded accident count.

NTSB top-level codes Total 59
Personnel issues 27
Aircraft 19
Environmental issues 7
Organizational issues 3
Not determined 3
Outcomes

Injury severity

NTSB classification of the worst injury in each accident: None, Minor, Serious, or Fatal. Each accident counts in exactly one severity.

Highest per accident Total 24
None 12
Fatal 5
Minor 4
Serious 3

Operating-rule mix (all parts): 091 (17)· 135 (8)· 137 (7)· 133 (3)· NUSN (2)· PUBU (1)

Recorded Accidents

All 24 recorded NTSB general-aviation accidents for this model, most recent first.

Date Location Tail Damage Highest injury Phase of flight Finding categories
Chimney Rock, MT N5017G Substantial None Maneuvering unknown
Kamas, UT N138DD Substantial Serious Landing unknown
Thibodaux, LA N2611 Destroyed Fatal Maneuvering unknown
Walland, TN N571CJ Substantial None Enroute Aircraft, Personnel issues
Amity, MO N828WP Substantial Serious Maneuvering Environmental issues, Personnel issues
Banning, CA N242BH Substantial Minor Landing Aircraft, Personnel issues
Glide, OR N303AE Substantial Serious Maneuvering Personnel issues, Aircraft, Environmental issues
New Castle, IN N39LR Substantial None Prior to flight Personnel issues, Aircraft, Organizational issues
Carson City, NV N519EH Substantial Minor Landing Personnel issues, Aircraft
Bishop, CA N1076Y Substantial None Enroute Personnel issues, Aircraft
Thomaston, GA N165BH Destroyed None Landing Aircraft
Saucier, MS N50KH Destroyed Fatal Maneuvering Not determined
Sevierville, TN N3176L Substantial None Takeoff Aircraft, Personnel issues
Inyokern, CA N123HP Substantial None Emergency descent Personnel issues
Manchester, KY N114AE Destroyed Fatal Approach Personnel issues, Aircraft, Environmental issues
La Junta, CO N20Z Substantial None Maneuvering Aircraft, Environmental issues
Grand Canyon, AZ N2072M Substantial None Emergency descent Personnel issues, Environmental issues
Grand Canyon, AZ N5745Y Substantial None Emergency descent Not determined, Environmental issues
Walton, KS N1815 Substantial Minor Maneuvering Not determined
Walnut Grove, AR N62AE Substantial Fatal Maneuvering Personnel issues, Aircraft
Grand Canyon, AZ N177PA Substantial Minor Takeoff Aircraft, Personnel issues
Gumboro Township, DE N98KR Substantial None Standing Organizational issues, Aircraft, Personnel issues
Springfield, IL N595AE Minor None Taxi Personnel issues, Environmental issues
Greensburg, IN N37AE Destroyed Fatal Enroute Aircraft, Organizational issues
Data presented on this website is sourced directly from official Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records. To ensure accuracy, we try not to correct issues such as improper punctuation, spelling errors, empty fields, or unusual labels like "SALE REPORTED" for a registrant. We make every effort to present information as it appears in the FAA database. This website is not affiliated with any government agency.