On July 24, 1994, a Bell 206B III (registration N820CW) operated by Helicopter Services OF Utah was involved in an aviation accident near Syracuse, UT. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: UNDETERMINED. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A helicopter vanished from radar while flying low over water after dropping off passengers. Only a portion of the lower fuselage and skids were recovered with no apparent damage to the landing gear.
What happened
Following the drop-off of passengers, the helicopter was last observed heading northeasterly as it attempted to return to its home base. Radar tracking indicated that the aircraft was maintaining an altitude between 100 and 200 feet above water level when its target suddenly disappeared from the screen for an undetermined reason.
The investigation
Recovery efforts located only a portion of the lower fuselage and the landing skids. Examination of the retrieved components revealed no apparent damage to the landing skids, suggesting that the structural integrity of the gear remained intact prior to the incident.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 24 Jul 1994 Bell 206B III accident near Syracuse, UT?
A helicopter vanished from radar while flying low over water after dropping off passengers. Only a portion of the lower fuselage and skids were recovered with no apparent damage to the landing gear.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 24 Jul 1994 involved a Bell 206B III, registration N820CW, operated by Helicopter Services OF Utah, at Syracuse, UT.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…