Bell 206B accident near Farmingdale, New York, May 12, 1988
On May 12, 1988 at about 7:51 pm local time, a Bell 206B (helicopter), registered N39071, was substantially damaged in an accident near Farmingdale, New York (Republic airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. 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
- May 12, 1988 · about 7:51 pm local time
- Place
- Farmingdale, New York · Republic · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206B · all 206Bs on the register
- Registration
- N39071 · no longer on the register · serial 3241
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE BELL 206B WAS BEING FLOWN ON A HELICOPTER RATING RIDE WITH THE PIC IN THE RIGHT SEAT AND AN FAA INSPECTOR IN THE LEFT SEAT. THE ORAL WAS SATISFACTORY AND THE FLIGHT CHECK PROGRESSED TO AUTOROTATIONS. THE FIRST ONE WAS LONG, THE SECOND SHORT. ON THE THIRD ONE, WHICH WAS ALSO SHORT, THE FAA INSPECTOR COMMANDED A GO-AROUND. THE HELICOPTER CONTINUED TO DESCEND, AND THE FAA INSPECTOR TRIED TO ROLL ON THE THROTTLE BUT IT WOULD NOT MOVE. A LOW ROTOR RPM SITUATION DEVELOPED AND THE HELICOPTER MADE A HARD LANDING WITH THE TAILBOOM BEING STRUCK BY THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES. THE PIC SAID HE ROLLED ON THE THROTTLE. THE FAA INSPECTOR SECURED THE ENGINE AFTER THE ACCIDENT HE SAID HE REMEMBERED THE THROTTLE BEING AT FLIGHT IDLE WHEN HE SHUT IT DOWN. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT SHOWED THAT THE THROTTLE COULD BE HELD WITH A TIGHT GRIP ON ONE SIDE MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO BE MOVED FROM THE OTHER SIDE. NO EVIDENCE OF AN ENGINE OR THROTTLE MALFUNCTION WAS 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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 431 hours in all; 132 in this make and model; 68 in the last 90 days; 23 in the last 30 days; 192 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,945 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, April 19, 1988; 85 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,200 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250-C20B (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Operator: New York City Police Dept.
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 14, 6,827 ft by 150 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 7:50 pm from FRG, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | 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.