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March 5, 2002 · Brantly Helicopter B-2 · N2128U

Grove City, OH

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 5, 2002
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Grove City, OH
Aircraft
Brantly Helicopter B-2
Tail Number
N2128U
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC02LA067

As the helicopter lifted off of the portable landing pad, a gust of wind began to push the helicopter backwards towards a hangar. The pilot raised the collective and the helicopter rose above the hangar; however, it continued in a rearward direction until the main rotor blades struck a tree. The pilot "rolled off" the power, and the helicopter began to descend to the ground. During the decent, the landing skid caught a vine, which rolled the helicopter inverted before it impacted the ground. The wind reported at a nearby airport, about the time of the accident, were from 220 degrees at 10 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees. A factor related to the accident was the gusting wind conditions.

Full Narrative

On March 5, 2002, about 1700 eastern standard time, a Brantly Helicopter B-2, N2128U, was substantially damaged while hovering at a private helipad near Grove City, Ohio. The certificated private pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the maintenance test flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he had just completed routine maintenance on the helicopter, and decided to perform a maintenance test flight. The helicopter was rolled out from the hangar on a portable landing pad, and the pilot started the engine. As the helicopter lifted off of the portable landing pad, a gust of wind began to push the helicopter backwards towards the hangar. The pilot raised the collective and the helicopter rose above the hangar; however, it continued in a rearward direction until the main rotor blades struck a tree. The pilot "rolled off" the power, and the helicopter began to descend to the ground. During the decent, the landing skid caught a vine, which rolled the helicopter inverted before it impacted the ground. The pilot reported 300 hours of total flight experience in helicopters, of which 10 hours were in the same make and model as the accident helicopter. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any pre-impact malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any. The wind reported at a nearby airport, about the time of the accident, were from 220 degrees at 10 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:00 EST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBrantly Helicopter B-2
Tail NumberN2128U
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO-360 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 51 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 6000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point27 C / 16 C
Altimeter30.25 inHg
Observation Time21:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data