Bell 206 accident near Chamblee, Georgia, March 21, 2025
On March 21, 2025 at about 7:53 pm local time, a Bell 206 (helicopter), registered N5QV, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach near Chamblee, Georgia (Dekalb-Peachtree Airport). It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during approach due to fuel exhaustion.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 21, 2025 · about 7:53 pm local time
- Place
- Chamblee, Georgia · Dekalb-Peachtree Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206 B · all 206s on the register
- Registration
- N5QV · registry record · serial 3098
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the electronic news gathering helicopter reported that he departed the airport on a preplanned flight to obtain video footage at four locations. After filming the four locations, but before returning to the airport, the pilot was contacted via radio about filming a fifth location due to breaking news. While over the fifth location, the cockpit fuel pump caution light illuminated, and the pilot noticed a low fuel level but elected to return to the airport rather than land at a nearby city helipad. While over the airport ramp area at 100 to 150 ft above ground level, the engine “hiccupped” and then lost all power. The pilot attempted an autorotation, but the helicopter landed hard on the ramp area. The pilot added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the helicopter. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the fuselage. The inspector also noted that the fuel tanks were absent of fuel and the cockpit fuel gauge needle was below “E.”
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
- Fuel exhaustion during approach defining event
- Loss of engine power (total) during approach
- Autorotation Hard landing
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation › Fuel planning › Pilot
- Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 2,783 hours in all; 1,030 in this make and model; 70 in the last 90 days; 19 in the last 30 days; 2,706 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 9, 2024
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 15,216 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, March 17, 2025
- Maximum gross weight: 3,200 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250-C20J (turboshaft); 13,412 hours total
- Operator: Helicopters INC
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 19°F (-7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.08 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from KPDK
Weather report (METAR): KPDK 211953Z AUTO 29007KT 10SM CLR 16/M07 A3008
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 5 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photograph 1 – Main Wreckage
Photograph 2 – Left Side Fuselage Damage
Photograph 3 – Right Side Fuselage Damage
Photograph 4 – Closeup of Right Side Fuselage Damage
Photograph 5 – Vertical Fin DamageThe NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on July 3, 2025. 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, 12 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum for the Record - FAA Inspector | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Investigation Photographs | PDF, 6 pages · our copy | 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 N5QV 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.