Bell 206 - B11 accident near Caledonia, Michigan, May 29, 2015
On May 29, 2015 at about 4:10 pm local time, a 1976 Bell 206 - B11 (helicopter), registered N206ED, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Caledonia, Michigan. It was an aerial observation 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 tail rotor effectiveness while maneuvering at low altitude, resulting in a collision with trees.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 29, 2015 · about 4:10 pm local time
- Place
- Caledonia, Michigan · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206 - B11 B, built 1976 · all 206 - B11s on the register
- Registration
- N206ED · no longer on the register · serial 1958
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot and passenger were conducting an aerial observation flight at low altitude to inspect power lines. The pilot stated he maneuvered to do a right turn and encountered a gust of wind. The pilot lost tail rotor effectiveness and attempted to recover control of the helicopter. Before the pilot could regain full control, the helicopter descended into the tree tops and came to rest in a tree. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail boom. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering
- Loss of tail rotor effectiveness during maneuvering defining event
- Attempted remediation/recovery during maneuvering
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Prop/rotor parameters › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Contributed to outcome
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: helicopter; instructor: instrument helicopter; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,454 hours in all; 425 in this make and model; 100 in the last 90 days; 36 in the last 30 days; 1,407 as pilot in command; 507 on instruments
- Last flight review: October 12, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9,618.5 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 11, 2014
- Maximum gross weight: 3,200 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rolls Royce C20B (turboshaft); 9,618 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KJXN Jackson MI at 2:00 pm
- Destination: KGRR Grand Rapids MI
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 23,000 ft; scat at 8,500 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from KGRR, 4 miles away
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 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.