Bell 206 accident near Outlook, Washington, July 29, 2016
On July 29, 2016 at about 2:05 pm local time, a 1980 Bell 206 (helicopter), registered N1087N, was destroyed in an accident during prior to flight near Outlook, Washington. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot and ground crew's failure to visually inspect the helicopter's skids before takeoff, which resulted in a water hose becoming entangled on the right skid, a loss of control, an impact with terrain, and a post-crash fire.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 29, 2016 · about 2:05 pm local time
- Place
- Outlook, Washington · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206 B, built 1980 · all 206s on the register
- Registration
- N1087N · no longer on the register · serial 3019
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of a helicopter performing aerial application reported that his loader laid the water hose across the skids due to the location of the helicopter's fill port and the ground water tank. After the loading was complete, the pilot reported that during takeoff, "the helicopter felt like the skids were dragging through the dirt even though I knew I was at least 5 [feet] above the ground." The pilot further reported that he realized the water hose nozzle had snagged on the helicopter's skid and he attempted to abort the takeoff. As soon as he began the abort, the helicopter nosed down, impacted terrain, and rolled over to the right. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. The loader, who also witnessed the accident, reported that this was the last load of the day for this spray location. He further reported that as the helicopter entered a hover, he noticed a hose lying over the right skid and he "waved and screamed" to the pilot, but he had already turned out of view. The loader subsequently observed the "dry lock nozzle" hook onto the right skid and the helicopter "lurched to the right" and impacted terrain. The loader assisted the pilot in an emergency evacuation, as they both observed a post-crash fire. The nearby water truck was empty and the helicopter was destroyed by the post-crash fire.
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
- Aircraft servicing event during prior to flight defining event
- Loss of control in flight during takeoff
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
- Roll over during takeoff
- Fire/smoke (post-impact) during post (impact)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Inspection › Preflight inspection › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Inspection › Preflight inspection › Ground crew
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Lack of action › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Lack of action › Ground crew
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Water and waste system › (general) › Incorrect use/operation
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Lateral/bank control › Attain/maintain not possible
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Pitch control › Attain/maintain not possible
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: helicopter; instructor: instrument helicopter; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 4,089 hours in all; 1,453 in this make and model; 129 in the last 90 days; 46 in the last 30 days; 3,997 as pilot in command; 761 on instruments
- Last flight review: April 21, 2015
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,795 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, June 17, 2016
- Maximum gross weight: 3,200 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rolls Royce 250C-20B (turboshaft); 5,381 hours total
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: J.R. Helicopters LLC.
The flight
- Departed from: WA97 Buena WA at 11:00 am
- Destination: Outlook WA
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observation at 1:55 pm from K1S5, 6 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on September 1, 2016. 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, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Ground Loader Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Accident Photo (Courtesy of Operator) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.