Bell 206B accident near King Salmon, Alaska, September 7, 2024
On September 7, 2024 at about 5:24 pm local time, a 1986 Bell 206B (helicopter), registered N306FW, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute near King Salmon, Alaska. It was a business flight under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). 1 person was killed and 4 people had minor injuries. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s decision to initiate the visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation, failure to maintain helicopter control and subsequent impact with water.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 7, 2024 · about 5:24 pm local time
- Place
- King Salmon, Alaska · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 4 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206B, built 1986 · all 206Bs on the register
- Registration
- N306FW · registry record · serial 3940
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The commercial, instrument-rated pilot was departing under special visual flight rules clearance in instrument meteorological conditions. Shortly after takeoff the pilot encountered a dense fog bank while flying over the calm water of a river. He stated he attempted to turn around, but he lost his visual reference with the river. The pilot stated he then attempted to climb but became disoriented and a few seconds later the helicopter impacted the water. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of any preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.
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 control in flight during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- VFR encounter with IMC during enroute defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Ceiling/visibility/precip › Low visibility › Effect on personnel
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Ceiling/visibility/precip › Below VFR minima › Effect on personnel
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Psychological › Perception/orientation/illusion › Spatial disorientation › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Psychological › Perception/orientation/illusion › Situational awareness › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Psychological › Perception/orientation/illusion › Visual illusion/disorientation › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 3,077 hours in all; 2,392 in this make and model; 188 in the last 90 days; 81 in the last 30 days; 2,913 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 20, 2023
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
Passenger
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: minor injuries
Passenger
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 27,792.6 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, July 18, 2024; 74 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,350 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison R-250-C20J (turboshaft); 10,999 hours total
- Operator: Egli Air Haul INC
The flight
- Departed from: AKN King Slamon AK at 5:15 pm
- Destination: PVT Nakalilok Bay AK
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 0.2 statute miles
- Sky: vv at 200 ft
- Temperature: 45°F (7°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observation at 8:54 am from PAKN, 1 miles away
Weather report (METAR): PAKN 071654Z 17005KT 1/4SM R12/2000V2200FT FG VV002 07/07 A2997 RMK AO2 SLP150 T00670067
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 3 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
7 documents, released by the NTSB on August 20, 2025. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Meteorology Specialist's Factual Report | PDF, 23 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 2 | Meteorology Specialist's Factual Report - Attachment 1 | PDF, 133 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 3 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 4 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 5 | Witness Statements | PDF, 4 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 6 | Wreckage Exam | PDF, 22 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 7 | Release of Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 2 pages · our copy | View Download |
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.