Amateur-built 206-3B accident near Al Ain, Ae, September 4, 2012
On September 4, 2012 at about 7:30 am local time, a amateur-built 206-3B (helicopter), registered A6FTB, was substantially damaged in an accident near Al Ain (Al Ain International Airport). It was flown under rules the NTSB did not record. 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 4, 2012 · about 7:30 am local time
- Place
- Al Ain, United Arab Emirates · Al Ain International Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built 206-3B
- Registration
- A6FTB · no longer on the register
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · rules the NTSB did not record
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On September 4, 2012, about 0730 coordinated universal time (1130 gulf standard time), an Augusta-Bell 206-3B, United Arab Emirates registration A6-FTB, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain in a flight training area near Al Ain International Airport (OMAL), Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. According to preliminary information, the local training flight was being operated under United Arab Emirates flight regulations. During the accident the transmission separated from the fuselage structure and the helicopter broke in to four pieces. The Flight instructor and student pilot were transported to a hospital for medical evaluation and were later released with minor injuries. The investigation is under the direction of the General Civil Aviation Authority of the United Arab Emirates. For further information contact: General Civil Aviation Authority Investigation Sector PO Box 6558 Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates Tel: +971 2 4447666 Fax: +971 2 4054535 Email: info@gcaa.gov.ae This report is for informational purposes, and only contains information released by the government of the United Arab Emirates.
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
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 3,200 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rolls-Royce M250-20C (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Operator: Horizon International Flight Academy
The flight
- Departed from: OMAL Al Ain
- Destination: OMAL Al Ain
- Flight plan: not recorded
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Temperature: 100°F (38°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 29.62 inHg
- Observation at 7:00 am from OMAL, 20 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
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.