Bell 206B accident near Williams Lake, Ca, September 3, 2016
On September 3, 2016 at about 10:30 pm local time, a Bell 206B (helicopter), registered CFWHF, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Williams Lake. 1 person was seriously injured.
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 3, 2016 · about 10:30 pm local time
- Place
- Williams Lake, Canada · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- not recorded
- Aircraft
- Bell 206B NO SERIES · all 206Bs on the register
- Registration
- CFWHF · no longer on the register · serial 1525
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On September 3, 2016, about 1530 Pacific daylight time, a Bell 206B helicopter, Canadian registration C-FWHF, impacted terrain following a loss of engine power during a visual approach to landing about 58 miles east of Williams Lake, British Colombia, Canada. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Far West Helicopters Ltd. and was substantially damaged in the impact. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. The flight originated from a remote helipad located 58 miles east of Williams Lake, Canada. The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) of Canada is investigating the accident. As the State of Manufacturer of the helicopter and engine, the NTSB has designated a U.S. accredited representative to assist the TSB in its investigation. All inquiries concerning this accident should be directed to the TSB of Canada: Transportation Safety Board of Canada 200 Promenade du Portage Place du Centre, 4th Floor Hull, Quebec K1A 1K8 Canada Website: http://www.tsb.gc.ca
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 3,199 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rolls Royce 250-C20 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Not recorded
- Operator: Far West Helicopters Ltd
The flight
- Departed from: Williams Lake
- Destination: Williams Lake
- Flight plan: not recorded
Weather at the time
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.