Bell 206B accident near Wells, Nevada, April 20, 2013
On April 20, 2013 at about 5:40 pm local time, a Bell 206B (helicopter), registered N4237M, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Wells, Nevada. It was an air-drop flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an obstacle while maneuvering at a low altitude.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 20, 2013 · about 5:40 pm local time
- Place
- Wells, Nevada · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206B · all 206Bs on the register
- Registration
- N4237M · registry record · serial 4055
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Air-drop flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he was flying the helicopter to specific locations within hilly sage and brush covered terrain in order for his passenger to set mining claim stakes at various intervals. Movement between the stake locations was typically conducted at a low altitude. The pilot stated that as he flew the helicopter over the crest of a hill, he felt the helicopter shudder and vibrate, and he initiated an autorotation to an open field. After what he described as an uneventful landing, the pilot noticed that the tailrotor and its drive shaft were damaged. The pilot further reported that he noticed a bush with several broken branches that was located along the helicopter's flight path, and he believed that the tailrotor struck that bush while he was maneuvering. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- Off-field or emergency landing during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › (general) › Not specified
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: helicopter; instructor: instrument helicopter; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 7,115 hours in all; 2,709 in this make and model; 68 in the last 90 days; 35 in the last 30 days; 6,978 as pilot in command; 938 on instruments
- Last flight review: May 25, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,751 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 20, 2013; 67 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,200 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rolls-Royc 250-C20B (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Wells NV at 2:30 pm
- Destination: Wells NV
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 4,400 ft
- Temperature: 48°F (9°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 5:56 pm from EKO, 23 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
1 document, released by the NTSB on June 12, 2013. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.