Bell 206 accident near Terra Alta, West Virginia, July 21, 2023
On July 21, 2023 at about 3:05 pm local time, a 1976 Bell 206 (helicopter), registered N9913K, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Terra Alta, West Virginia. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s inability to maneuver the helicopter for recovery after experiencing a strong, unanticipated tailwind in a confined operating area, which resulted in a descent and subsequent impact with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 21, 2023 · about 3:05 pm local time
- Place
- Terra Alta, West Virginia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206 B, built 1976 · all 206s on the register
- Registration
- N9913K · registry record · serial 2055
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was operating the helicopter near maximum gross weight about 400 ft above ground level, following the terrain for an aerial observation flight. About 10 seconds into a descent, over a hilltop toward the next power transmission line, the helicopter encountered a strong tailwind. Noting a loss of airspeed, the pilot lowered the collective to gain airspeed; however, the helicopter continued to slow and descend. The pilot further lowered the collective and pushed the cyclic forward, but this was ineffective in increasing the helicopter’s airspeed. Given the low operating profile in the confined surveying location between power transmission lines and trees, the pilot did not have adequate space to compensate for the tailwind condition or turn the helicopter into the wind. Consequently, the helicopter continued to descend until it impacted the ground. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation and stated (and a review of meteorological data confirmed) that the stronger than anticipated tailwinds arrived before the forecasted time.
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
- Other weather encounter during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Tailwind › Effect on operation
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Attain/maintain not possible
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,389 hours in all; 177 in this make and model; 123 in the last 90 days; 24 in the last 30 days; 1,337 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 28, 2023
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
Cabin Crew
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: rear
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 13,088 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, July 8, 2023; 33.1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,200 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rolls Royce 250-C20B (turboshaft); 13,279 hours total
- Operator: Maine Helicopters INC
The flight
- Departed from: MGW Morgantown WV at 2:39 pm
- Destination: EKN Elkins WV
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 6 knots, gusting 13
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 1,100 ft; a few clouds at 600 ft
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observation at 11:05 am from 2G4, 14 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR K2G4 211505Z AUTO VRB06G13KT 10SM FEW006 BKN011 BKN023 18/17 A2996 RMK AO2=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
7 documents, released by the NTSB on July 5, 2024. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Memorandum of Record - Crewmember Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Weather Reports and Records | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Photo Array | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Flight Track Log | map file | Download |
| 7 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N9913K the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, the folder of records gathered during the investigation, shown as the NTSB released them (the NTSB redacts some personal details first) and listed under the NTSB's own titles. This site's own text never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number ERA23LA307.