Bell 206B
Aircraft Manufacturer: Bell
Model: 206B
About the Bell 206B
The Bell 206B is the most-registered model in Bell's lineup, with more than 700 airframes on the U.S. civil registry. That standing accounts for about 26% of Bell's active registered fleet. Looking across every registry record the model has ever held, more than 2,000 airframes have been deregistered, and about a quarter of those records remain on the registry today.
On the safety record, the Bell 206B carries 135 recorded accidents over its FAA-registration exposure, of which 18 were fatal. The model's accident rate works out to about 7.8 per 1,000 aircraft-years of registration exposure. Set against a peer cohort of same-type, engine-class, and seat-range aircraft, the 206B sits at about three-quarters, meaning a higher accident rate than about three-quarters of comparable types.
On the regulatory side, the Bell 206B carries 11 active airworthiness directives out of 12 ever issued against the model. The most recent of those directives is dated January 27, 2022.
Aircraft Details
| Manufacturer | Bell |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer Serial Number | 1181511 |
| Model | 206B |
| Category | Land |
| Aircraft Type | Rotorcraft |
| Cruise Speed | 112 MPH / 97 knots |
| Weight | Class 1 (Up to 12,499 lbs gross take off weight) |
| Engine Type | Turbo-shaft |
| Number of Engines | 1 engine |
| Number of Seats | 5 seats |
Share your captured photos of the Bell 206B, receive attribution and a link. 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.
Accidents are identity-confirmed against FAA registration records (two independent sources).
122 exact, 11 recovered, 2 provisional
MethodologyTotal recorded general-aviation accidents within the analyzed period.
18 fatal accidents.
13.3% of recorded accidents were fatal.
Active aircraft fleet size contributing to the exposure data.
17,282 (± 2,363)
Aircraft-years of FAA registration exposure (2008–present).
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 →
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.
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.
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.
Injury severity
NTSB classification of the worst injury in each accident: None, Minor, Serious, or Fatal. Each accident counts in exactly one severity.
Operating-rule mix (all parts): 091 (78)· 137 (57)· NUSN (38)· PUBU (10)· UNK (7)· 133 (6)· 135 (5)· NUSC (3)
Recorded Accidents
All 135 recorded NTSB general-aviation accidents for this model, most recent first.
| Date | Location | Tail | Damage | Highest injury | Phase of flight | Finding categories |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shepherd, MT | N150SP | Substantial | Fatal | Maneuvering | Personnel issues, Environmental issues | |
| Wells, NV | N4237M | Substantial | None | Maneuvering | Personnel issues, Environmental issues, Aircraft | |
| Acton, CA | N59518 | Substantial | Fatal | Maneuvering | Personnel issues, Aircraft, Environmental issues | |
| Crowley, LA | N333DR | Substantial | Fatal | Enroute | Aircraft, Personnel issues, Environmental issues | |
| Mammoth Lakes, CA | N222GR | Destroyed | None | Maneuvering | Personnel issues, Aircraft, Environmental issues | |
| Burbank, WA | N106TV | Substantial | None | Maneuvering | Aircraft, Personnel issues | |
| Longboat Key, FL | N806LA | Substantial | None | Prior to flight | Aircraft, Personnel issues | |
| Valley Falls, KS | N85RB | Substantial | Minor | Maneuvering | Personnel issues, Aircraft, Environmental issues | |
| Hershey, PA | N16EP | Substantial | Serious | Maneuvering | Personnel issues, Aircraft | |
| Amarillo, TX | N2068X | Substantial | Minor | Landing | Personnel issues, Environmental issues, Aircraft | |
| Arvin, CA | N969W | Substantial | None | Maneuvering | Personnel issues, Environmental issues | |
| Titusville, FL | N83AP | Substantial | Minor | Takeoff | Aircraft, Personnel issues, Environmental issues | |
| New York, NY | N63Q | Substantial | Fatal | Initial climb | Aircraft, Personnel issues | |
| Spicewood, TX | N3181J | Substantial | None | Maneuvering | Aircraft, Personnel issues | |
| Temple, OK | N118TV | Substantial | None | Maneuvering | Personnel issues, Environmental issues | |
| Glendale, AZ | N59383 | Substantial | None | Emergency descent | Personnel issues, Aircraft | |
| Venice, LA | N887T | Substantial | Minor | Taxi | Aircraft, Personnel issues | |
| Three Forks, MT | N78BR | Substantial | None | Emergency descent | Aircraft, Personnel issues | |
| Meeker, CO | N8533F | Substantial | Fatal | Maneuvering | Personnel issues, Environmental issues | |
| Clarkson Valley, MO | N96MP | Substantial | Fatal | Enroute | Personnel issues, Aircraft | |
| Auburn, CA | N2763M | Substantial | None | Enroute | Personnel issues, Environmental issues | |
| Newton, TX | N499BH | Substantial | Serious | Prior to flight | Personnel issues | |
| St. Olaf, IA | N275RA | Substantial | Minor | Maneuvering | Personnel issues, Environmental issues | |
| New Hampton, IA | N40TA | Substantial | None | Maneuvering | Personnel issues, Environmental issues | |
| Roseville, PA | N302MG | Substantial | None | Maneuvering | Environmental issues, Personnel issues |
Page 5 of 6 (showing accidents 101–125 of 135).
Airworthiness Directives
Composition of FAA airworthiness directives (ADs) that apply to this model, as of October 15, 2026. ADs are mandatory FAA-issued corrective actions for safety-of-flight issues. Pilots, owners, and operators should always verify against the current FAA AD listing before any maintenance or flight action. Methodology →
11 active · 12 total airworthiness directives issued against this model · most recent:
Directives by year
Count of airworthiness directives issued against this model per calendar year (publication date in the Federal Register). Includes both active and superseded directives. An active AD still applies; a superseded one was replaced by a later AD.
Recent directives
The most recent airworthiness directives applicable to this model, by effective date. A Superseded badge means a later AD has replaced this one; we still list the original so it isn't lost from the page.
| AD number | Effective date | Subject | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
2021-26-08 |
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited Helicopters | Superseded | |
2017-05-04 |
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited Helicopters | Active | |
2013-22-21 |
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., Helicopters | Active | |
2010-26-51 |
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (BHTC) Model 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, 206L-4, 222, 222B, 222U, 230, 407, 427, and 430 Helicopters | Active | |
2009-08-03 |
Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited Model 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, 206L-4, 222, 222B, 222U, 230, 407, 427, and 430 Helicopters | Active |