Bell 206 accident near Douglas Camp, Pg, September 25, 2008
On September 25, 2008, a Bell 206 (helicopter), registered P2HBC, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (hover) near Douglas Camp. It was an external-load flight under non-U.S. private rules. 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 25, 2008
- Place
- Douglas Camp, Papua New Guinea · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206 L3 · all 206s on the register
- Registration
- P2HBC · no longer on the register · serial 51396
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- External-load flight · non-U.S. private rules
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On September 25, 2008, at 1012 local time, a Bell 206L3, Papua New Guinea (PNG) registry P2-HBC, crashed in a remote area near Douglas Camp (PNG) under unknown circumstances while reportedly performing long line operations. The helicopter was operated by Heli Niugini under the pertinent provisions of the PNG civil aviation regulations. The helicopter sustained substantial damage and the pilot, the sole occupant, was killed. The accident is under the jurisdiction of, and is being investigated by, the Papua New Guinea aircraft accident investigation authority. Further information can be obtained from: Director of Air Safety Investigation Department of Civil Aviation P.O. Box 684 Boroko, NCD Papua New Guinea Tel.: (675) 271764 Fax: (675) 272201 AFTN: AYPYYAYX Telex: 22203 NE
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
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering (hover) defining event
The aircraft
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250-C30P (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Douglas Camp
- Destination: Douglas Camp
- Flight plan: not recorded
Weather at the time
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.