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December 24, 1993 · Brantly Helicopter B-2 · N2111U

Giddings, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 24, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Giddings, TX
Aircraft
Brantly Helicopter B-2
Tail Number
N2111U
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW94LA053

DURING CRUISE FLIGHT THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND THE PILOT OBSERVED THE CARBERATOR TEMPERATURE GUAGE INDICATING CAUTIONARY ZONE. HE APPLIED CABURETOR HEAT AND THE ENGINE LOST POWER. AFTER THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER THE PILOT ENTERED AN AUTOROTATION INTO THE WIND; HOWEVER, HE NOTICED POWER LINES AND WAS FORCED TO TURN TO AVOID THEM. THE NEW HEADING CAUSED THE HELICOPTER TO LAND WITH A QUATERING TAIL WIND. AS THE HELICOPTER REACHED 10 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND IT LOST MAIN ROTOR RPM AND LANDED HARD. DURING THE LANDING SEQUENCE THE HELICOPTER BOUNCED AND THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE TAIL BOOM.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN MAIN ROTOR RPM. THE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND DELAYED APPLICATION OF CARBURETOR WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.

Full Narrative

On December 24, 1993, at 1330 central standard time, a Brantly B-2 helicopter, N2111U, was substantially damaged following a forced landing due to a loss of engine power, near Giddings, Texas. The pilot/owner and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. No flight plan was filed. The pilot reported, during an interview conducted by the investigator-in-charge, that while in cruise flight he noticed that the engine started to run rough and the carburetor temperature gauge was indicating that the temperature had reached the cautionary zone. He further reported that he applied carburetor heat; however, the engine lost complete power and he entered an autorotation into the wind. During the autorotative descent, he observed electrical power lines in front of him; he turned to the right to avoid the power lines. The right turn resulted in the helicopter landing with a left quartering tail wind. Additionally, the pilot stated he applied initial pitch for cushioning at ten feet; however, the main rotor rpm had decayed to a point insufficient to sustain the landing and the helicopter impacted the ground hard and bounced. During the landing, the skids collapsed and the main rotor flexed downward resulting in a strike by a blade to the tailboom. The pilot further stated he believed he had carburetor icing. Temperature and dewpoint 51 and 30 degrees respectively

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:30 CST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBrantly Helicopter B-2
Tail NumberN2111U
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 50 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 11 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 30 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data