Bell 206L accident near New York City, New York, February 10, 1990
On February 10, 1990 at about 8:19 pm local time, a Bell 206L (helicopter), registered N16664, was substantially damaged in an accident near New York City, New York (34Th St. Heliport airport). It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed; 4 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF THE WIND RESULTING IN A DOWNWIND TAKEOFF. ADDITIONALLY THE LOSS OF LIFT WHEN THE HELICOPTER FLEW OFF THE HELIPORT PLATFORM, PRIOR TO REACHING EFFECTIVE TRANSLATIONAL LIFT, RESULTED IN THE HELICOPTER SETTLING INTO THE WATER.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 10, 1990 · about 8:19 pm local time
- Place
- New York City, New York · 34Th St. Heliport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed; 4 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206L · all 206Ls on the register
- Registration
- N16664 · no longer on the register · serial 45101
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE HELICOPTER LIFTED OFF THE HELIPAD AND MADE A LEFT PEDAL TURN. THE PILOT SAID HE CHECKED THE WIND AND THOUGHT THE WIND WAS FROM THE SOUTHWEST, MEANING HE COULD BE TAKING OFF IN A CROSSWIND, WHEN IT FACT HE TOOK OFF IN A TAIL WIND CONDITION. AS THE HELICOPTER REACHED THE END OF THE HELIPORT PLATFORM AND WAS FLYING SLOW OVER WATER THE HELICOPTER SETTLED IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. THE PILOT COULD NOT STOP THE DESCENT AND THE HELICOPTER WENT INTO THE RIVER.
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: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,515 hours in all; 329 in this make and model; 97 in the last 90 days; 19 in the last 30 days; 1,260 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 13,515 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, February 8, 1990; 6 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,000 lb
- Seats: 7
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250-C20B (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 6N5
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 17 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 2,000 ft
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 3 |
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.