Bell 205A-1 and Bell 212 mid-air collision near Jackson, Wyoming, July 31, 2001
On July 31, 2001 at about 7:47 pm local time, 2 aircraft, Bell 205A-1 (N205BR) and Bell 212 (N911VR), were involved in a mid-air collision near Jackson, Wyoming. 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
the Bell 212 helicopter pilot's inadequate visual lookout which resulted in a midair collision.
the Bell 212 helicopter pilot's inadequate visual lookout which resulted in a midair collision.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 31, 2001 · about 7:47 pm local time
- Place
- Jackson, Wyoming · map
- Type
- Accident · mid-air collision
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Bell 205A-1 · all 205A-1s on the register
- Registration
- N205BR · registry record · serial 30033
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Public-use flight · public-use (government) rules
- Aircraft 2
- Bell 212 · all 212s on the register
- Registration
- N911VR · registry record · serial 30998
- Damage
- Not recorded
- Flight
- Public-use flight · public-use (government) rules
The NTSB's narrative for the Bell 205A-1 final · quoted from the NTSB record
While a Bell 205A-1 helicopter was at an out-of-ground effect hover over a pond using a long line and bambi bucket to pick up water during fire fighting operations, a Bell 212 helicopter, which was also equipped with a long line and bambi bucket, came to an out-of-ground effect hover above it. While the Bell 212 helicopter was operating in close proximity, its bambi bucket contacted the Bell 205A-1's main rotor system. The pilot of the Bell 205A-1 performed an autorotation with power to the shoreline, coming to rest with the tail section and part of the fuselage in the pond. The Bell 212 landed at the helibase without further incident.
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 NTSB's narrative for the Bell 212 final · quoted from the NTSB record
While a Bell 205A-1 helicopter was at an out-of-ground effect hover over a pond using a long line and bambi bucket to pick up water during fire fighting operations, a Bell 212 helicopter, which was also equipped with a long line and bambi bucket, came to an out-of-ground effect hover above it. While the Bell 212 helicopter was operating in close proximity, its bambi bucket contacted the Bell 205A-1's main rotor system. The pilot of the Bell 205A-1 performed an autorotation with power to the shoreline, coming to rest with the tail section and part of the fuselage in the pond. The Bell 212 landed at the helibase without further incident.
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 for the Bell 205A-1 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 7,000 hours in all; 425 in this make and model; 145 in the last 90 days; 80 in the last 30 days; 1,096 on instruments
- Last flight review: March 26, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 10,496.4 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, July 4, 2001; 96.9 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 10,500 lb
- Seats: 11
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming T53-17B (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Wilson WY at 7:00 pm
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
The factual record for the Bell 212 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 5,025 hours in all; 263 in this make and model; 107 in the last 90 days; 69 in the last 30 days; 2,858 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 28, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 16,886.3 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, July 29, 2001; 1.7 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 11,200 lb
- Seats: 11
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine 1: Pratt & Whitney PT6T-3B (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Pratt & Whitney PT6T-3B (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Wilson WY
- Flight plan: none
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.
Other NTSB records under N205BR the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.