Bell 206L-3 accident near Boyaca, CO, September 1, 2015
On September 1, 2015 at about 7:25 pm local time, a Bell 206L-3 (helicopter), registered HK3311, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Boyaca. It was a flight of an unrecorded kind under non-U.S. private rules. 3 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 1, 2015 · about 7:25 pm local time
- Place
- Boyaca, Colombia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206L-3 · all 206L-3s on the register
- Registration
- HK3311 · no longer on the register · serial 51195
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight of an unrecorded kind · non-U.S. private rules
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On September 1, 2015, about 1925 UTC, a Bell 206L-3, HK 3311, registered to and operated by Sociedad Aerea De Ibague, was landed hard in a field during a forced landing near Municipality of Chita, Boyaca, Colombia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and flight plan information is unknown for the flight from Municipality of Chita, Boyaca, Colombia, to Tunja Airport (SKTJ), Boyaca, Colombia. The helicopter sustained substantial damage, and there were minor injuries to the commercial pilot and 2 passengers. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. During takeoff, a low main rotor warning occurred. The pilot maneuvered the helicopter for a forced landing in a field and landed hard. This investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Government of Colombia. Any further information can be obtained from: Unidad Administrativa Especial de Aeronautica Civil Aeropuerto Internacional El Dorado Bogota, Colombia Telephone: 571.425.1000 This report is for informational purposes only, and contains information released by or obtained for the Government of Colombia.
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
- Miscellaneous/other during takeoff defining event
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: Chita Boyaca at 7:25 pm
- Destination: SKTJ Boyaca
- Flight plan: not recorded
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 4,000 ft
- Temperature: 93°F (34°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observation at 7:00 pm from SKSA, 59 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check 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.