Bell 206 accident near Sanders, Kentucky, June 5, 2018
On June 5, 2018 at about 4:45 pm local time, a 1987 Bell 206 (helicopter), registered N518Z, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Sanders, Kentucky. 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
A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, and a loss of main rotor rpm during the subsequent autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 5, 2018 · about 4:45 pm local time
- Place
- Sanders, Kentucky · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206 B, built 1987 · all 206s on the register
- Registration
- N518Z · registry record · serial 3991
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot and observer were conducting a powerline patrol flight in the helicopter. About 40 minutes into the flight, while flying at 35 to 40 knots about 120 ft above ground level, the pilot heard the main rotor losing speed; the low rotor rpm light subsequently illuminated, and the associated aural warning sounded. The pilot entered an autorotation, during which he raised the collective to avoid impacting a set of power transmission lines. The pilot reported that the rotor speed remaining upon reaching the touchdown point was insufficient to cushion the landing, and the helicopter landed hard, resulting in substantial damage. After landing, the pilot noted that the engine was still partially producing power, and he shut it down using the throttle. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical malfunctions or component failures that would have precluded normal operation. Based on the available information, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.
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
- Loss of engine power (partial) during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Autorotation Attempted remediation/recovery
- Autorotation Hard landing
The NTSB's findings
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: helicopter; instructor: instrument airplane; instructor: instrument helicopter; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 4,891 hours in all; 1,451 in this make and model; 223 in the last 90 days; 134 in the last 30 days; 4,748 as pilot in command; 1,796 on instruments
- Last flight review: January 4, 2018
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
Passenger
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 16,479.5 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, May 25, 2018
- Maximum gross weight: 3,200 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rolls-Royce 250-C20 SER (turboshaft); 22,284 hours total
- Operator: Due North Aviation LLC
The flight
- Departed from: IMS Madison IN at 4:05 pm
- Destination: OA10 Mount Orab OH
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 30,000 ft; a few clouds at 10,000 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 29.89 inHg
- Observation at 4:52 pm from KCVG, 29 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
10 documents, released by the NTSB on September 1, 2021. 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 |
| 2 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Passenger Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Airport Manager Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Airframe and Engine Examination Report | PDF, 15 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Synopsis of Emails | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Bell 206B3 Fuel Drain Procedures | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 9 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 10 | Photos | PDF, 5 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.