Bell Textron Canada LTD 505 accident near Fort Worth, Texas, March 8, 2026
On March 8, 2026 at about 4:10 am local time, a 2024 Bell Textron Canada LTD 505 (helicopter), registered N911FW, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Fort Worth, Texas (Fort Worth Meacham Intl airport). It was a public-use flight (local) under public-use (government) rules. No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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 November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 8, 2026 · about 4:10 am local time · cases in 2026
- Place
- Fort Worth, Texas · Fort Worth Meacham Intl · cases near this airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell Textron Canada LTD 505, built 2024
- Registration
- N911FW · registry record · serial 65491
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Public-use flight (local) · public-use (government) rules
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On March 7, 2026, at 2210 Central daylight time, a Bell Textron 505 helicopter, N911FW, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Fort Worth, Texas. The pilot and crew member were not injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 public use flight. The pilot reported that during takeoff, as the helicopter was climbing above the trees the engine power decreased to idle power. The pilot performed a forced landing to an open grass field. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer. A post examination of the wreckage is pending.
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 takeoff defining event
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 3,680 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Operator: City of Fort Worth
The flight
- Departed from: KFTW Fort Worth TX at 4:10 am
Weather at the time
- Wind: from 310° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 48°F (9°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observation at 9:00 pm from KFTW, 1 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KFTW 080353Z 31004KT 10SM CLR 09/07 A3010 RMK AO2 SLP193 T00890067
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabi | 1 | |||
| 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.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N911FW on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Fort Worth Meacham International · nearest airport
- Fort Worth Meacham International · departed from
- Accidents and incidents in Texas 6,244 since 1982 · 1,061 in the last ten years
- Texas 29,986 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/ANC26LA018.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.