Bell 206B accident near Nokomis, Florida, September 11, 2007
On September 11, 2007 at about 2:00 pm local time, a Bell 206B (helicopter), registered N261BH, was substantially damaged in an accident near Nokomis, Florida. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed and 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the water.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 11, 2007 · about 2:00 pm local time
- Place
- Nokomis, Florida
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206B · all 206Bs on the register
- Registration
- N261BH · no longer on the register · serial 2817
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The helicopter pilot was performing the last of six photo shoots of a boat. The boat did not have a functioning GPS for an accurate speed indication and speed coordination between the boat and helicopter operator was made by hand signals. During the photo shoot, the helicopter maneuvered in front of the boat, to the left, in a slight right yaw, and about 10 feet above the water. The boat was traveling at an estimated speed of 85 mph at that time. Witnesses on the boat observed the helicopter gradually flying lower until the helicopter’s skid impacted the water. The recovered wreckage of the helicopter’s airframe and engine were examined. No evidence of preimpact abnormalities with the helicopter were found.
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; instructor: instrument helicopter; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 7,343 hours in all; 2,613 in this make and model; 149 in the last 90 days; 48 in the last 30 days; 7,184 as pilot in command; 1,262 on instruments
- Last flight review: February 27, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 15,053 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, August 28, 2007; 10 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,200 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rolls-Royce 250-C20B (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SRQ Sarasota FL at 12:40 pm
- Destination: SRQ Sarasota FL
- Flight plan: VFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 2,300 ft
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 pm from SRQ, 18 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
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.