Bell 206 accident near Hill City, South Dakota, September 12, 2019
On September 12, 2019 at about 8:10 pm local time, a 2007 Bell 206 (helicopter), registered N100CK, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Hill City, South Dakota. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, 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
- September 12, 2019 · about 8:10 pm local time
- Place
- Hill City, South Dakota · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206 B, built 2007 · all 206s on the register
- Registration
- N100CK · no longer on the register · serial 4644
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot descended the helicopter to land on a field in a bowl-shaped area with prevailing high winds. The pilot reported that the engine stopped producing power during the approach when the helicopter was too low to prevent a hard landing. The helicopter descended, spun, and landed hard, resulting in substantial damage. Examination of the airframe and test run of the engine did not reveal any anomalies which would have precluded normal operation of the helicopter. Testing of the engine could not replicate a loss of engine power. The helicopter was landing at high altitude, with strong winds. It could not be determined if these factors adversely impacted the helicopter’s power available during the landing leading to conditions consistent with a loss of engine performance. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined because an examination and engine runs did not reveal any anomalies.
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 engine power (total) during maneuvering defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (turbine/turboprop) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,039.6 hours in all; 974.5 in this make and model; 45.5 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: May 9, 2018
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,450 hours
- Maximum gross weight: 3,200 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rolls-Royce (Allison) 350-C20 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 18 knots, gusting 31
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 2,800 ft
- Temperature: 52°F (11°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.13 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 pm from KCUT, 12 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on April 12, 2022. 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 | Investigation Notes | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photos | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Airframe & Engine Examination Summary | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Ushst Airmanship Safety Bulletin Power Available Limitations | PDF, 4 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.