Bell 206 accident near Oakridge, Oregon, April 26, 2019
On April 26, 2019 at about 2:00 pm local time, a 1980 Bell 206 (helicopter), registered N206JH, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Oakridge, Oregon. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power following the failure of a 3rd stage turbine blade due to low- and high-cycle fatigue.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 26, 2019 · about 2:00 pm local time
- Place
- Oakridge, Oregon · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206 B, built 1980 · all 206s on the register
- Registration
- N206JH · no longer on the register · serial 2918
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During the agricultural aerial application flight, the helicopter lost engine power, and the pilot performed an autorotation into sloping, tree-covered terrain. Examination of the engine revealed that a blade from the 3rd stage turbine wheel had been liberated, resulting in the loss of engine power. The blade’s fracture surface indicated that it was initiated in a low-cycle fatigue mode near the trailing edge radius of the blade and progressed to a high-cycle fatigue process along the blade chord, which finally resulted in overload failure. The initiation event for the failure could not be determined; however, it was likely caused by operation within an engine speed avoidance range, an engine speed/airframe interaction of unknown origin, inadequate engine temperature management on startup, inadequate wheel design or undetermined manufacturing defect, or combinations thereof. The blade had not been operated beyond its overhaul or inspection time limit. Similar blade failure was associated with five previous accidents and two previous incidents. An in-service replacement program was started by the engine manufacturer on July 30, 2021, requiring removal and replacement of the 3rd stage turbine wheel with a new design at the next scheduled replacement time.
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
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
- Loss of engine power (total) during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (turbine/turboprop) › Turbine section › Failure
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (turbine/turboprop) › Turbine section › Fatigue/wear/corrosion
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 615 hours in all; 370 in this make and model; 56 in the last 90 days; 47 in the last 30 days; 570 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 20, 2017
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 12,816.4 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 17, 2019; 27.5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,250 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rolls Royce M250-C20B (turboshaft); 129,296 hours total
- Operator: Wilbur Ellis Co
The flight
- Departed from: Oakridge OR at 1:42 pm
- Destination: Oakridge OR
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 48°F (9°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 pm from KRBG, 43 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on April 19, 2022. 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 | Powerplants Chairman's Factual Report | PDF, 26 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Powerplants - Rolls Royce Lab Report | PDF, 64 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Maintenance Logbook Excerpts | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N206JH the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.