Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 accident near La Junta, Colorado, May 7, 2013
On May 7, 2013 at about 6:00 pm local time, a Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1, registered N20Z, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near La Junta, Colorado. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind during low-altitude operations, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 7, 2013 · about 6:00 pm local time
- Place
- La Junta, Colorado · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · all 206L-1s on the register
- Registration
- N20Z · registry record · serial 45334
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The purpose of the flight was to videotape a pipeline corridor. The commercial pilot reported that, while flying over mainly flat rural areas, the helicopter entered an uncommanded left yaw, returned to straight flight for about 1 to 2 seconds, and then entered an uncommanded right yaw that continued until the helicopter impacted the ground. GPS data from the camera used to videotape the pipeline corridor indicated that the helicopter's groundspeed was about 37 knots when it entered the uncommanded left yaw. Weather information from an airport about 5 miles away from the accident site indicated that the helicopter was flying with a tailwind of 11 knots gusting to 16 knots, which resulted in a calculated airspeed of between 22 and 26 knots. A postaccident examination of the airframe, engine, and control system revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The helicopter was operating in a high-power, low-airspeed condition that required the pilot to be especially aware of wind direction to avoid tailwinds, which can result in a loss of control due to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness. Based on the available information, it is likely that the pilot's operation of the helicopter at a low airspeed with a gusting tailwind resulted in the loss of tail rotor effectiveness.
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 tail rotor effectiveness during maneuvering defining event
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Prop/rotor parameters › Not attained/maintained
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Tailwind › Response/compensation
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 2,900 hours in all; 300 in this make and model; 130 in the last 90 days; 45 in the last 30 days; 2,000 as pilot in command; 0 on instruments
- Last flight review: December 18, 2012
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 13,894 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 26, 2013
- Seats: 7
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250-C30P (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Operator: Corporate Aircraft Services
The flight
- Departed from: La Junta CO at 5:45 pm
- Destination: La Junta CO
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 11 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 32°F (0°C)
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 pm from LHX, 5 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
8 documents, released by the NTSB on May 11, 2016. 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 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 25 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Occupant Statements to Sheriff's Dept. | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Photos and Images | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Excerpt from FAA Helicopter Flying Handbook | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Ac 90-95 Unanticipated Right Yaw in Helicopters | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 6 | GPS Data Factual Report | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 7 | GPS Data Factual Report - Attachment 1 | data file | Download |
| 8 | On Board Image Recorder - Specialist's Summary Report | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.