Bell 212 accident near Jackson, Wyoming, August 31, 2000
On August 31, 2000 at about 4:55 pm local time, a Bell 212 (helicopter), registered N8224V, was substantially damaged in an accident near Jackson, Wyoming. It was a public-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Loss of control for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 31, 2000 · about 4:55 pm local time
- Place
- Jackson, Wyoming · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 212 · all 212s on the register
- Registration
- N8224V · no longer on the register · serial 30808
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Public-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While sitting on the ground waiting to board passengers, with the rotors turning at flight rpm, the helicopter settled to the right rear striking the right horizontal stabilizer and tail rotor. Subsequently, the helicopter became airborne and spun several times before the pilot secured the power and made a forced landing. During landing, the aft landing gear cross tube collapsed and the fuselage was substantially damaged. Examination of the helicopter following the accident provided evidence of improper maintenance to the skid landing gear. No procedural errors by the pilot, in the operation of the helicopter, were found during the investigation.
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: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 6,600 hours in all; 3,460 in this make and model; 5,860 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,369 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, August 10, 2000; 59 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 11,200 lb
- Seats: 15
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: P&W PT6T-3 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Operator: Houston Helicopters, INC.
The flight
- Departed from: JAC
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 4,000 ft
- Temperature: 129°F (54°C), dew point 109°F (43°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:55 pm from JAC
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.