Bell 206B accident near Decatur, Texas, June 17, 2014
On June 17, 2014 at about 8:00 pm local time, a 1980 Bell 206B (helicopter), registered N536T, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Decatur, Texas (Decatur Muncipal airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The flight instructor’s improper recovery from a practice autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 17, 2014 · about 8:00 pm local time
- Place
- Decatur, Texas · Decatur Muncipal · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206B, built 1980 · all 206Bs on the register
- Registration
- N536T · no longer on the register · serial 3195
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot-rated student and flight instructor were conducting a helicopter proficiency flight. After about 2 hours of flight and completing a series of maneuvers, which included straight-in and 180-degee autorotations, the instructor began to demonstrate another 180-degree autorotation. The instructor reported that, when the helicopter was at 200 ft at the start of the approach, the rotor speed was in the mid to low section of the green band. At the beginning of the flare, he tried to roll in full throttle, but he felt resistance, and he didn't get the power restored in time. He then attempted to level the helicopter to avoid a tail strike. The pilot receiving instruction reported that the instructor was at the controls and that, when the helicopter was at 100 ft, he noticed that the rotor speed was at a minimum and that the rate of closure was slow. He thought they were going to be short, so he called for power and reached for the throttle to confirm it was fully on. The helicopter landed hard and slid to a stop just off the runway. Examination of the helicopter and throttle system did not reveal any abnormalities.
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
- Simulated/training event during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Abnormal runway contact during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Tailstrike during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Instructor/check pilot
Flight instructor
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: instrument helicopter; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 10,000 hours in all
- Last flight review: June 1, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 2
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: helicopter; instructor: instrument airplane; instructor: instrument helicopter; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Medical certificate: Class 2
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 3,201 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250-C20 SER (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Operator: Federal Aviation Administration
The flight
- Departed from: KAFW Fort Worth TX
- Destination: KAFW Fort Worth TX
- Runway 17, 4,000 ft by 60 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 14 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observation at 8:15 pm from KLUD
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket 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.