N2166U Brantly Helicopter B-2B accident

NTSB FTW95LA029 · 1994-10-24 · TOMBALL, TX

Summary

DURING TAKEOFF CLIMB THE PILOT SENSED POOR CLIMB PERFORMANCE AND REALIZED HE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO CLEAR POWER LINES. THEREFORE, HE PERFORMED A FORCED LANDING ON THE EDGE OF A PARKING AREA AFTER CLEARING A BUILDING, 'RESULTING IN A HARD LANDING AND SKID TUBE FAILURE.' THE CAUSE FOR THE POOR CLIMB PERFORMANCE WAS NOT DETERMINED.

Full narrative

On October 24, 1994, at 1507 central daylight time, a Brantley B- 2B helicopter, N2166U, was substantially damaged during landing near Tomball, Texas. The aircraft, flown by an airline transport rated pilot, had just departed on what was to have been a local personal flight. There was no flight plan filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The solo pilot sustained no injuries.

According to a statement by the pilot, he was taking off and the aircraft seemed to "lose lift" and he elected to land. After clearing a building, the pilot set the aircraft down on the edge of a parking area, "resulting in a hard landing and skid tube failure." The helicopter subsequently rolled over.

There was no evidence of any mechanical problem related to the poor climb performance of the helicopter.

Probable cause

A PARTIAL POWER LOSS FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING. The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident.

Circumstances

Event type: Accident
Highest injury: None
Weather conditions: Visual Meteorological Cond
Light condition: Day
Sky condition: BKN
Ceiling (ft): 25000
Visibility (sm): 8
Wind direction: 70
Wind speed (kt): 8
Temperature (F): 84
Distance from field: 0.0

Aircraft

Registration	Make	Model	Damage	FAR part
N2166U	Brantly Helicopter	B-2B	SUBS	091

Sequence of events

#	Occurrence	Phase
1	350	Cruise
2	180	Cruise
3	200	Cruise

Findings

Finding
25000	cause
19200	factor