Bell 206B accident near Cedartown, Georgia, June 5, 2007
On June 5, 2007 at about 6:44 pm local time, a Bell 206B (helicopter), registered N912SP, was substantially damaged in an accident near Cedartown, Georgia. It was a public-use flight (local) under public-use (government) rules. 3 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter while maneuvering. Contributing to the accident were strong gusty winds.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 5, 2007 · about 6:44 pm local time
- Place
- Cedartown, Georgia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206B · all 206Bs on the register
- Registration
- N912SP · registry record · serial 3619
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Public-use flight (local) · public-use (government) rules
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that while flying low over trees in a left turn, a strong gust of wind was encountered causing the helicopter to yaw to the right. The pilot reduced the collective in an attempt to fly out of the situation; however, he was unsuccessful in stopping the yaw and struck trees, and subsequently the ground. Winds were reported at the time of the accident at 250 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 16 knots. Examination of the helicopter revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical failure or malfunction, and none were reported by the pilot.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,450 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,603 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 1, 2007; 91.6 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,200 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rolls-Royce 250-C20J (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: 4A4 Cedartown GA at 6:15 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 10 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 15,000 ft; a few clouds at 4,500 ft
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 29.79 inHg
- Observation at 7:00 pm from ATL, 50 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number ATL07GA087.