Bell 206L accident near Ware, Illinois, September 20, 1995
On September 20, 1995 at about 9:20 am local time, a Bell 206L (helicopter), registered N2777W, was substantially damaged in an accident near Ware, Illinois. It was a positioning flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter. A factor in the accident was the pilot's inadvertent VFR flight into IMC conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 20, 1995 · about 9:20 am local time
- Place
- Ware, Illinois · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206L · all 206Ls on the register
- Registration
- N2777W · no longer on the register · serial 45441
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that shortly after taking off, the emergency medical service helicopter began to fly through 'small scuddy clouds.' The pilot decided to abort the flight. He then initiated a left turn and encountered IMC conditions. The pilot stated that he tried to transition to instruments, but he was unable to make the transition before he lost control of the helicopter. The pilot was unable to regain control prior to ground impact.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 4,290 hours in all; 3,131 in this make and model; 78 in the last 90 days; 34 in the last 30 days; 4,005 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9,424 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, September 7, 1995; 9 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,050 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250-C28B (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MU10 Cape Girardeau MO at 9:06 am
- Destination: NONE Cobben IL
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: night, dark
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 1,900 ft; scat at 500 ft
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Observation at 9:51 am from CGI, 17 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 1 |
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.