Bell 206L-1 accident near Heber Springs, Arkansas, August 11, 2008
On August 11, 2008 at about 8:30 pm local time, a Bell 206L-1 (helicopter), registered N832AH, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Heber Springs, Arkansas. It was an external-load flight under external-load helicopter rules (Part 133). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the improper installation of the PC line on the engine which resulted in a partial loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the trees encountered during the forced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 11, 2008 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Heber Springs, Arkansas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206L-1 · all 206L-1s on the register
- Registration
- N832AH · no longer on the register · serial 45560
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- External-load flight · external-load helicopter rules (Part 133)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The helicopter had been conducting external load operations on the day of the accident and had just departed after refueling. While transporting an empty container on the long line at 300 feet above ground level, the engine "spooled down". The pilot released the external load, executed a 180-degree turn and autorotation. During the forced landing, the helicopter landed hard in a tree farm and impacted trees, rolled over and came to rest on its right side. The pilot shut off the fuel and exited the helicopter. Examination of the engine showed the PC line B-nut was found disconnected. The last engine maintenance which involved the removal and reinstallation of the PC line was 67.1 hours prior, during a scheduled turbine change. No slippage marks (torque paint) were noted on the fitting. The engine manufacturer's maintenance manual procedures document the proper installation procedures, which include slippage markings.
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
- Aircraft maintenance event during prior to flight
- Loss of engine power (partial) during maneuvering defining event
- Autorotation Off-field or emergency landing
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine fuel and control › Fuel controlling system › Incorrect service/maintenance
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Installation › Maintenance personnel
- factor Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › (general) › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: helicopter; instructor: instrument helicopter; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 21,000 hours in all; 6,000 in this make and model; 228 in the last 90 days; 94 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: April 1, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9,504 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, August 1, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 4,250 lb
- Seats: 7
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rolls-Royce 250-C30P (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Heber Springs AR at 8:10 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 090° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 3,300 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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 N832AH 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.