Bell 206L-1 accident near Grand Canyon, Arizona, October 14, 2000
On October 14, 2000 at about 7:27 pm local time, a Bell 206L-1 (helicopter), registered N2233F, was substantially damaged in an accident near Grand Canyon, Arizona. It was a flight of an unrecorded kind under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). 4 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's in-flight loss of control during liftoff due to his improper planning and decisions. Related factors were the high density altitude and helicopter weight condition, and the lack of a suitable takeoff area.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 14, 2000 · about 7:27 pm local time
- Place
- Grand Canyon, Arizona · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 4 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206L-1 · all 206L-1s on the register
- Registration
- N2233F · no longer on the register · serial 45739
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight of an unrecorded kind · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During the aeromedical evacuation of a seriously injured patient, the helicopter pilot attempted to takeoff from a clearing surrounded by trees and high elevation terrain. Also on board the helicopter were a paramedic and a flight nurse. The crewmembers indicated that no tree branches were closer than 8 to 20 feet from the helicopter as it gained between 80 and 100 feet above the terrain. As the pilot turned into the light wind, the tail rotor lost effectiveness and the helicopter started yawing uncontrollably in a clockwise direction. Due to the lack of climb performance in the high density altitude (approximately 8,850 feet) and heavy weight condition, the pilot made a forced landing in the underlying terrain during which it impacted trees.
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: instructor: helicopter; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 3,100 hours in all; 1,000 in this make and model; 90 in the last 90 days; 20 in the last 30 days; 3,000 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9,982 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, August 30, 2000; 41 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,250 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250-C30P (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: SGU St George UT
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 050° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 7:54 pm from GCN, 40 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 3 | |||
| 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.