NTSB Prelim: Bell 206 | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-07.07.25

Airborne-NextGen-07.08.25

AirborneUnlimited-07.09.25

Airborne-FlightTraining-07.10.25

AirborneUnlimited-07.11.25

Thu, Aug 20, 2020

NTSB Prelim: Bell 206

Pilot 'Informed The Passengers He Would Be Conducting An Emergency Landing'

Location: Marathon, TX Accident Number: CEN20LA328
Date & Time: 08/08/2020, CDT Registration: N284S
Aircraft: Bell 206 Injuries: 3 Fatal, 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Aerial Observation

On August 8, 2020, at an unknown time, a Bell 206B helicopter, N284S, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Marathon, Texas. The pilot was seriously injured, and the three passengers were fatally injured. The flight was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations 91 aerial survey flight.

The flight's mission was to conduct aerial survey of desert bighorn sheep in the Texas Black Gap Wildlife Management Area. When the helicopter did not return for refueling at the expected time, a search was initiated. The wreckage was located about 1200, by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department personnel who notified authorities.

The pilot reported to the first responders that about 5 minutes before refueling; the helicopter was about 800 ft above ground level when he felt a slight vibration. He informed the passengers he would be conducting an emergency landing. The vibration intensified and he was losing maneuverability, the vibration got worst. The helicopter lost  lift and impacted terrain short of the intended landing area. The pilot stated that the engine never stopped producing power.

The helicopter pilot was not in contact with air traffic control.

The wreckage will be recovered to a secure location for a detailed examination.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov

Advertisement

More News

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (07.11.25)

“Honored to accept this mission. Time to take over space. Let’s launch.” Source: SecTrans Sean Duffy commenting after President Donald Trump appointed U.S. Secret>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (07.11.25): Permanent Echo

Permanent Echo Radar signals reflected from fixed objects on the earth's surface; e.g., buildings, towers, terrain. Permanent echoes are distinguished from “ground clutter&rd>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (07.11.25)

Aero Linx: European Hang Gliding and Paragliding Union (EHPU) The general aim of the EHPU is to promote and protect hang gliding and paragliding in Europe. In order to achieve this>[...]

NTSB Final Report: Schweizer SGS 2-33A

Glider Encountered A Loss Of Lift And There Was Not Sufficient Altitude To Reach The Airport Analysis: The flight instructor reported that while turning final, the glider encounter>[...]

NTSB Prelim: Aeronca 7AC

Airplane Climbed To 100 Ft Above Ground Level, At Which Time The Airplane Experienced A Total Loss Of Engine Power On May 24, 2025, at 1300 eastern daylight time, an Aeronca 7AC, N>[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2025 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC