Bell 206L-1 N138DD

Summary

On 18 January 2026 at about 22:10 local time, a Bell 206L-1 registered N138DD was involved in an accident near Kamas, Utah, United States. 4 people were on board and one was seriously injured, 3 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. No probable cause has been published yet; this accident is still under investigation.

Date

18 January 2026 at 22:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Kamas, Utah, United States

Coordinates

40.4816, -111.0304

Aircraft

Bell 206L-1

Registration

N138DD

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1979

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Bountiful → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

NTSB number

WPR26FA082

1 person was seriously injured.

The NTSB has not published a probable cause for this record. The investigation is still open; a final report usually follows one to two years after the accident.

Nothing about the cause is stated here that is not in the source record.

Read the full NTSB narrative

On January 18, 2026, about 1510 mountain standard time, a Bell 206L-1, N138DD, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Kamas, Utah. The pilot and three passengers received minor injuries. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot of the 206L-1, he and another pilot planned to fly their respective helicopters to a mountain lodge for lunch. The other pilot was operating a Robinson R66 helicopter with two passengers onboard. Preliminary ADS-B data retrieved from a commercially available third-party source showed the 206L-1 departing from Skypark Airport (BTF), Bountiful, Utah about 1236. The pilots proceeded to Daniels Summit Lodge, Heber, Utah, where they arrived about 1300 and remained until about 1450. After departing the lodge, the flight-of-two proceeded to Wolf Creek Summit. The R66 pilot stated he landed first in a large snow-covered area when they arrived at Wolf Creek Summit. According to the 206L-1 pilot, he prepared to land by conducting a power check and determined that the wind was light, and the helicopter had adequate power. The 206L-1 pilot then landed about 100 ft behind the R66. Upon touchdown, the skids teetered aft, so he brought the helicopter to a hover, then increased power to depart. While about 150 ft above ground level and above effective translational lift, the helicopter began to rotate clockwise about its vertical axis despite full application of left anti-torque pedal and lowering the collective. The helicopter impacted trees and descended to the snow-covered terrain. Multiple videos, captured by witnesses near the accident site, recorded the helicopter in the air, rotating about its vertical axis before it impacted trees and descended to the ground. Postaccident examination revealed the helicopter came to rest on its left side on soft snow, surrounded by trees of about 40 to 50 ft in height, at an elevation of about 9,450 ft mean sea level. All major components remained on or near the main wreckage. The tailboom separated from the fuselage. The aft end of the tailboom, that included the tail rotor gearbox and tail rotor assembly, separated from the tailboom. One tail rotor blade was about 50 ft from the main wreckage. The other tail rotor blade was not recovered. At least one main rotor blade fractured into multiple sections, while the other was partially buried in the soft snow. The helicopter was recovered to a secure facility for further examination.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.