Bell 206 accident near San Carlos, Ni, November 17, 2015
On November 17, 2015 at about 11:40 am local time, a Bell 206 (helicopter), registered YNISA, was destroyed in an accident near San Carlos. It was a business flight under non-U.S. private rules. 3 people were killed.
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 October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 17, 2015 · about 11:40 am local time
- Place
- San Carlos, Nicaragua · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people were killed.
- Weather
- not recorded
- Aircraft
- Bell 206 L4 · all 206s on the register
- Registration
- YNISA · no longer on the register · serial 52214
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Business flight · non-U.S. private rules
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On November 17, 2015, about 1140 coordinated universal time, a Bell 206L4 helicopter, Nicaraguan registered YN-ISA, impacted the San Juan River near San Carlos, Rio San Juan, Nicaragua. The pilot and three passengers were fatally injured and the helicopter was destroyed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. Witnesses reported dense fog in the area. The accident investigation is under the jurisdiction and control of the Nicaraguan government. This report is for informational purposes only and contains only information released by or obtained from the Nicaraguan Civil Aeronautics Institute (INAC). Further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from: Nicaraguan Civil Aeronautics Institute (INAC) Aircraft Accident Investigation Commission Tel: +505-233-2907 / 276-8580 ext. 1090 Fax: +505-2276-8588 seguridad@inac.gob.ni
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
- Unknown or undetermined during unknown defining event
The aircraft
- Landing gear: fixed
- Not recorded
The flight
- Departed from: San Carlos at 12:00 pm
- Destination: Managua
- Flight plan: not recorded
Weather at the time
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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 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.
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.