Bell 206B accident near Rosenberg, Texas, May 12, 2002
On May 12, 2002, a Bell 206B (helicopter), registered N717NH, was substantially damaged in an accident near Rosenberg, Texas. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 4 people were 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 failure to maintain terrain clearance.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 12, 2002
- Place
- Rosenberg, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 4 people were seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206B · all 206Bs on the register
- Registration
- N717NH · no longer on the register · serial 4038
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The helicopter flight departed a residential gathering for the cross-country flight. The 11,000-hour pilot reported that after a south departure following a "normal takeoff" into the prevailing wind, he initiated a left turn at approximately 300 feet indicated altitude and felt "vibrations" and the next thing he remembered, "he was on the ground." The pilot did not claim any mechanical malfunction on the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report. Examination of the fuselage revealed physical evidence consistent with downward compression and crushing with deformation left of the fuselage centerline. The left horizontal stabilizer exhibited physical evidence of ground impact, while the right horizontal stabilizer was not damaged. Flight control continuity was confirmed. The inspection of the engine and engine components did not revealed any evidence of pre-impact failure. Examination of the main fuel control and the power turbine governor revealed no anomalies that would result in a loss of power, flame-out, or sudden overspeed condition. Maintenance records did not reveal any overdue inspections or anomalies that could have precluded operation of the helicopter prior to the accident.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: helicopter; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 11,000 hours in all; 1,500 in this make and model; 9,500 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 9, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,298 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 10, 2001; 2 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,200 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250-C20 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Rosenberg TX
- Destination: Houston TX
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 5,000 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 pm from SGR, 17 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 | 1 |
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.
Other NTSB records under N717NH 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.