Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

April 19, 1995 · Brantly Helicopter B-2B · N2198U

Winfield, KS

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 19, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Winfield, KS
Aircraft
Brantly Helicopter B-2B
Tail Number
N2198U
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI95LA130

THE PILOT STATED THE HELICOPTER WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT AT ABOUT 500 FEET AGL WHEN THE ENGINE RPM '...SUDDENLY AND RAPIDLY INCREASED AS IF THE ENGINE WAS ABRUPTLY UNLOADED...'. THE PILOT SAID HE AUTOROTATED TO A LANDING THAT WAS '...QUITE SMOOTH.' AFTER TOUCHING DOWN THE HELICOPTER SLID AND ROLLED OVER ON ITS RIGHT SIDE. THE PILOT SAID THE TOUCH DOWN FIELD WAS VERY MUDDY. AN EYE WITNESS SAID HE SAW THE HELICOPTER DESCEND VERY RAPIDLY THEN BOUNCE INTO THE AIR. AFTER TOUCHING DOWN A SECOND TIME IT ROLLED OVER ON ITS RIGHT SIDE. THE ON-SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE HELICOPTER'S OVER-RUNNING CLUTCH HAD FAILED. EXAMINATION OF THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY REVEALED ITS SPRAGS AND THE INNER AND OUTER RACES WERE WORN BEYOND THE MANUFACTURER'S DESIGN LIMITATIONS. THE WORN PARTS ALLOWED THE CLUTCH TO GO OVER CENTER AND BECOME DISENGAGED.

NTSB Probable Cause

The total failure of the rotor drive system clutch assembly due to excessive wear of the clutch assembly. A factor in this accident was the soft ground in the emergency landing area.

Full Narrative

On April 19, 1995, at 1630 central daylight time (cdt), a Brantly B-2B, N2198U, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when it rolled over during an off airport landing on soft ground. The pilot stated the helicopter's power clutch failed during cruise requiring him to auto-rotate to a forced landing. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 ferry flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot and passenger reported no injuries. The flight had departed Strother, Kansas, 1610 cdt. According to the pilot's written statement attached to NTSB Form 6120.1/2, "All was normal. Engine RPM was 2900, altitude was approximately 500 feet AGL, and indicated airspeed was 80 MPH." During the flight the engine RPM "...suddenly and rapidly increased as if the engine was abruptly unloaded...", according to the pilot. He said he auto-rotated to a landing that was quite smooth. After touching down the pilot said the helicopter slid on the field's muddy surface and rolled over onto its right side. An eye witness said he observed the helicopter "...come down too fast, everything looked and sounded ok, just going too fast. The helicopter landed, bounced off the ground and rolled over on its side." Two other eye witnesses said they observed the helicopter descending very rapidly. The on-scene investigation revealed that the helicopter's over- running clutch unit had failed. A mechanic helping with the inspection of N2198U stated the sprag tangs inside the clutch assembly had failed. He said the wear pattern on the tangs appeared as though it had been under-greased early in its service life. The mechanic said there was adequate grease in the assembly when he looked at it. According to a March 29, 1994, airframe maintenance logbook entry, an over-running clutch assembly, serial number 93, was installed on N2198U. At that time, N2198U had a total airframe time of 833.8 hours. The clutch assembly had 353.2 hours on when it was installed on N2198U. The helicopter had operated about 129 hours with the clutch before it failed. The helicopter maintenance manual stated the clutch assembly "...must be returned to Brantly Helicopter Industries (BHI) for engineering evaluation, inspection, and overhaul as required at each 600-hour interval." The manual stated the clutch assembly's total accumulated service time is not to exceed 2,500 hours. N2198U's over-running clutch assembly (clutch assembly) was dismantled at the manufacturer. An FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector (PMI) represented the NTSB during the clutch assembly's inspection. N2198V's clutch assembly had a part number of 40237- 2 and had been rebuilt on October 13,1964. Examination of N2198U's assembly revealed the sprags in the clutch had been worn beyond the manufacturer's limits. The PMI said the assembly's inner and outer races were also worn beyond the manufacturer's limits. According to the PMI, the worn parts allowed the clutch to go over-center and become disengaged. The manufacturer of the clutch assembly said a new style clutch assembly had been produced and superseded the one found on N2198U. The new clutch assembly has a part number of 40237-3. The new clutch assembly is described as a positive, continuous, engagement over-running clutch, according to the PMI. The helicopter manufacturer was contacted and asked if they recommended the new clutch assembly be installed on the helicopter. A representative from the manufacturer said they did not, and advise those seeking a new clutch assembly that a new -3 model is what is available. She said the -3 clutch assembly is FAA approved. She said the older -2 type clutch assembly is still a usable item for the helicopter.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBrantly Helicopter B-2B
Tail NumberN2198U
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IVO-360-A1A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 46 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind350° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4200 ft
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 46
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time20:20
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data