Bell 206B accident near Woodsboro, Texas, October 2, 2014
On October 2, 2014 at about 5:55 pm local time, a 1976 Bell 206B (helicopter), registered N49746, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Woodsboro, Texas. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to recognize and correct for flight conditions conducive to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness, which resulted in a rapid, uncommanded right yaw and subsequent hard landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 2, 2014 · about 5:55 pm local time
- Place
- Woodsboro, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206B, built 1976 · all 206Bs on the register
- Registration
- N49746 · no longer on the register · serial 1928
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was conducting an aerial pipeline observation flight when the helicopter suddenly yawed to the right and he received a low rotor rpm warning. The pilot applied left pedal to correct the yaw; however, the helicopter continued its right turn, impacted the ground, and rolled onto its side, resulting in substantial damage. Examination of the wreckage and testing of components did not reveal any preimapct anomalies that would have precluded normal helicopter operation. Nonvolatile memory obtained from the helicopter indicated that its groundspeed varied during the last 10 seconds of recorded data to a low of about 9 knots, increasing to about 25 knots, then decreasing to about 12 knots. During this time period, the helicopter's altitude decreased to about 50 feet above ground level (agl). The last recorded point showed the helicopter about 30 feet agl at a groundspeed of about 15 knots on a northwesterly heading. Weather observations from a nearby airport indicated variable wind from the south at 10 knots with gusts to 21 knots about the time of the accident. The helicopter's orientation to the prevailing wind and its slow airspeed made the helicopter susceptible to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE). Additionally, the helicopter's low altitude at the time of the LTE encounter was inadequate to allow for recovery before its impact with terrain.
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 (low-alt flying) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Hard landing during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Capability exceeded
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Tailwind › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: helicopter; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 13,916 hours in all; 35 in this make and model; 30 in the last 90 days; 15 in the last 30 days; 10,000 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 20, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 18,323.2 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, June 5, 2014
- Maximum gross weight: 3,201 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rolls Royce 250-C20B (turboshaft); 13,156 hours total
- Operator: North Texas Helicopters, Inc.
The flight
- Departed from: T69 Sinton TX at 5:00 pm
- Destination: BEA Beeville TX
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 10 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 2,900 ft; a few clouds at 1,600 ft
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 79°F (26°C)
- Altimeter: 29.86 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 pm from KRKP, 17 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
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.