Bell 206L

Aircraft Manufacturer: Bell

Model: 206L

Aircraft Details

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer Bell
Manufacturer Serial Number 1181522
Model 206L
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
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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).


3 exact, 0 recovered, 0 provisional

Methodology
3
Recorded GA Accidents

Total recorded general-aviation accidents within the analyzed period.


1 fatal accidents.

33.3% of recorded accidents were fatal.

6
Currently Registered

Active aircraft fleet size contributing to the exposure data.


186 (± 238)

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


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 →

2008 – 2024 Total 3
Accidents by year Accidents by year (total 3 observed): 2008 1, 2016 1, 2024 1. 1 2 3 4 0 1 '08 1 '16 1 '24
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.

2 categories Total 3
Maneuvering 2
Enroute 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 5
Aircraft 3
Personnel issues 1
Environmental issues 1
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 3
Fatal 1
Minor 1
None 1

Operating-rule mix (all parts): NUSN (5)· 091 (3)· NUSC (2)

Recorded Accidents

All 3 recorded NTSB general-aviation accidents for this model, most recent first.

Date Location Tail Damage Highest injury Phase of flight Finding categories
Fern Prairie, WA N9984K Substantial None Enroute unknown
Pigeon Forge, TN N16760 Destroyed Fatal Prior to flight Aircraft, Personnel issues
Nikolai, AK N404EH Substantial Minor Maneuvering Environmental issues, Aircraft

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:


Time series

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.

2002 – 2022 Total 12
Airworthiness directives by year Airworthiness directives by year (total 12 observed): 2002 1, 2003 1, 2007 1, 2008 2, 2009 1, 2011 1, 2013 2, 2017 1, 2021 1, 2022 1. 1 2 3 4 0 1 '02 1 '03 1 '07 2 '08 1 '09 1 '11 2 '13 1 '17 1 '21 1 '22
Subject

Directives by system / component (JASC / ATA code)

Breakdown of the AD count for this model by the FAA's coded subject classification. The corpus mixes legacy 2-digit ATA chapter codes and modern 4-digit JASC codes; both forms are surfaced as separate bars (see the methodology page).

1 category Total 1
Main Rotor Blades 1

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
2022-22-08 Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited) Helicopters Active
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
2013-02-01 Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (Bell) Helicopters Active
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.