Bell 206B accident near St. Petersburg, Florida, May 19, 1994
On May 19, 1994 at about 8:42 pm local time, a Bell 206B (helicopter), registered N72Z, was substantially damaged in an accident near St. Petersburg, Florida. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE FAILURE OF THE NUMBER FIVE BEARING, SHAFT, OR THOMAS COUPLING FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S DELAYED RESPONSE IN CONDUCTING THE EMERGENCY PROCEDURE BY NOT REDUCING THE THROTTLE TO IDLE POSITION, AND IMMEDIATELY ENTERING AUTOROTATION.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 19, 1994 · about 8:42 pm local time
- Place
- St. Petersburg, Florida · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206B · all 206Bs on the register
- Registration
- N72Z · no longer on the register · serial 3537
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was on initial takeoff climb at about 60 knots and 200 feet agl when he heard a loud noise from the vicinity of the tail section, followed by an immediate nose heavy condition. A right turn was initiated away from mangrove trees and the collective pitch was lowered. The helicopter started to turn to the right and collided with water and terrain in a nose down, right skid low attitude. Examination of the helicopter by an FAA inspector revealed the number five bearing, thomas coupling, and about 2 feet of the tail rotor driveshaft had separated and were not recovered.
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: single-engine land; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 11,000 hours in all; 6,000 in this make and model; 120 in the last 90 days; 40 in the last 30 days; 10,800 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 3,200 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250-C20B (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 4,500 ft
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 8:50 pm from TPA, 8 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| 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.