Bell 206B accident near Boulder City, Nevada, November 11, 2006
On November 11, 2006 at about 5:15 pm local time, a Bell 206B (helicopter), registered N59571, was substantially damaged in an accident near Boulder City, Nevada (Hacienda Hotel Heliport airport). 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 pilot's inadequate planning and decision in his failure to reduce the engine throttle to ground idle prior to exiting the helicopter.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 11, 2006 · about 5:15 pm local time
- Place
- Boulder City, Nevada · Hacienda Hotel Heliport · map
- 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
- N59571 · no longer on the register · serial 1455
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The helicopter rolled over after the pilot exited with the engine running and rotors turning to disconnect and move the auxiliary power unit (APU) to a secure location. The pilot left the helicopter running at 100 percent because he was charging the battery. The pilot's back was to the helicopter when he heard the engine sound change. He turned around, and saw the front skids lift off the ground. The helicopter started to move in a backwards direction, and rolled over and went down an embankment.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 14,220 hours in all; 5,100 in this make and model; 141 in the last 90 days; 28 in the last 30 days; 13,702 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 1, 2006
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 10,727.5 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 1, 2006; 22.3 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,200 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250-C20B (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Boulder City NV
- Destination: Boulder City NV
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 3,000 ft
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 14°F (-10°C)
- Altimeter: 30.26 inHg
- Observation at 4:56 pm from HND, 20 miles away
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.