Bell 206 Helicopter Sustains Substantial Damage in Montana Crash

LIVINGSTON, Mont. — A Bell 206L-1 LongRanger II helicopter crashed under unknown circumstances near Chimney Rock, Montana, on April 4, according to National Transportation Safety Board data. The aircraft, registered as N5017G, sustained substantial damage in the incident with no fatalities reported.

The NTSB has assigned event ID 20260406202757 and opened an investigation into the accident. Preliminary reports do not detail specific factors contributing to the crash, though standard procedures include reviewing maintenance records, weather conditions and pilot statements.

Bell 206L-series helicopters are commonly used for utility, survey and sightseeing operations in mountainous terrain. The single-engine turbine helicopter first entered service in the 1970s and remains popular for commercial operations due to its reliability and performance characteristics.