Bell 206 accident near Pahokee, Florida, February 4, 2021
On February 4, 2021 at about 5:15 am local time, a 2008 Bell 206 (helicopter), registered N820H, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Pahokee, Florida. It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 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
A loss of main rotor rpm for reasons that could not be determined, which resulted in an autorotation and a subsequent hard landing and rollover.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 4, 2021 · about 5:15 am local time
- Place
- Pahokee, Florida · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206 B, built 2008 · all 206s on the register
- Registration
- N820H · registry record · serial 2079
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot had been performing low-altitude agricultural operations for about two hours when he heard an aural “chirp” with no associated caution panel lights. After scanning the instruments, he observed nothing abnormal, then immediately the low rotor rpm horn sounded, and the helicopter started to lose altitude as the rotor speed decayed. He briefly observed a red engine light on the instrument panel, and initiated an autorotation from an altitude about 50 ft above the ground and airspeed of about 35 knots. The helicopter landed hard on uneven terrain and rolled over; a post-crash fire ensued. The pilot and passenger egressed without injury. Although examination of the engine and its recovered components revealed no evidence of preaccident mechanical anomalies, the extent of the impact and thermal damage precluded a thorough examination, and the reason for the loss of rotor rpm could not be determined based on the available information.
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
- Autorotation Off-field or emergency landing
- Unknown or undetermined during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor › Main rotor system › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,900 hours in all; 1,200 in this make and model; 30 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 1,500 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 15, 2020
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
Passenger
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9,106 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 31, 2020
- Maximum gross weight: 3,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rolls Royce 250-C20B (turboshaft); 9,121 hours total
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: Roma Air Corporation
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Sky: broken clouds at 3,000 ft; clear
- Temperature: 39°F (4°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
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.
Other NTSB records under N820H 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.