Bell 206B accident near West Cameron, July 17, 1995
On July 17, 1995 at about 3:35 pm local time, a Bell 206B (helicopter), registered N57536, was substantially damaged in an accident near West Cameron. It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE DISCONNECT OF THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S INABILITY TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, AND THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 17, 1995 · about 3:35 pm local time
- Place
- West Cameron
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206B · all 206Bs on the register
- Registration
- N57536 · no longer on the register · serial 3124
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
WHILE IN LEVEL FLIGHT AT AN ALTITUDE OF 500 TO 700 FEET THE PILOT FELT A HIGH FREQUENCY VIBRATION IN THE TAIL ROTOR ANTI TORQUE PEDALS. SUBSEQUENTLY, A LOW PITCH 'HUM' AND A 'SHUDDERING VIBRATION' WAS FELT, 'FOLLOWED BY A LOUD BANG FROM THE REAR OF THE AIRCRAFT.' THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO 'ROTATE TO THE RIGHT', AND THE APPLICATION OF 'FULL LEFT PEDAL' HAD NO EFFECT IN STOPPING THE ROTATION. AFTER 'SEVERAL' 360 DEGREE TURNS, THE PILOT ATTEMPTED UNSUCCESSFULLY TO STREAMLINE THE HELICOPTER. AN AUTOROTATION WAS INITIATED, AND THE AIRCRAFT'S ROTATION WAS REDUCED TO A 'SLOW RIGHT MOTION SPIRAL OR FLAT SPIN.' DURING THE COMPLETION OF THE AUTOROTATION, THE LEFT FLOAT TOUCHED DOWN ON THE WATER FIRST AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED INVERTED. EXAMINATION OF THE HELICOPTER REVEALED THAT A BOLT HAD SEPARATED FROM THE TAIL ROTOR AFT SHORT SHAFT FORWARD FLEX COUPLING AND THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS FRACTURED.
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: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 6,300 hours in all; 1,000 in this make and model; 130 in the last 90 days; 30 in the last 30 days; 6,000 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9,284 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, July 11, 1995; 20 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,200 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250-C20B (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Operator: Air Logistics
The flight
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 95°F (35°C), dew point 75°F (24°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.
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.