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NTSB Report

May 7, 2003 · Bell 206B · N81519

Hurst, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 7, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Hurst, TX
Aircraft
Bell 206B
Tail Number
N81519
Operator
Bell Helicopter Textron
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW03LA147

The flight instructor demonstrated an out of ground effect (OGE) autorotation from 500 feet agl and 0 knots. The pilot receiving instruction was then requested to perform an OGE autorotation from 500 feet agl and 0 knots. During the pilot's second OGE autorotation, he "rolled the throttle off and moved the cyclic slightly forward." The airspeed did not climb above 45 knots and an excessive rate of descent was encountered. The pilot used almost no cyclic to flare the helicopter; however, he pulled "all collective available" prior to touchdown. The helicopter touched down hard.

NTSB Probable Cause

The improper flare by the pilot receiving instruction, which resulted in the hard landing. A contributing factor was the flight instructor's inadequate supervision.

Full Narrative

On May 7, 2003, at 1025 central daylight time, a Bell 206B helicopter, N81519, was substantially damaged during a hard landing at the Bell Helicopter Auxiliary Heliport (Flight Training Strip), Hurst, Texas. The helicopter was registered to Textron Financial Corporation, of Wichita, Kansas, and was operated by Bell Helicopter Textron, of Fort Worth, Texas. The flight instructor and the pilot receiving instruction (who held a commercial-rotorcraft pilot certificate that was issued in Israel) were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The local flight originated from the Bell Helicopter Hurst Heliport, Hurst, Texas, at 0955. According to both pilots, the flight instructor demonstrated an out of ground effect (OGE) autorotation from 500 feet agl and 0 knots. The pilot receiving instruction was then requested to perform an OGE autorotation from 500 feet agl and 0 knots. During the pilot's second OGE autorotation, he "rolled the throttle off and moved the cyclic slightly forward." The airspeed did not climb above 45 knots and an "excessive rate of descent" was encountered. The pilot used almost no cyclic to flare the helicopter; however, he pulled "all collective available" prior to touchdown. The helicopter touched down hard wrinkling the tailboom.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:25 CDT
Nearest AirportBell Helicopter Aux Heliport (0nm)
Runway36
Runway Length2200 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 206B
Tail NumberN81519
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBell Helicopter Textron
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20J · Turboshaft · 420
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 45 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 38 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter29.86 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data