Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary ERA14CA259

Essex, MD, USA

Aircraft #1

N9023Z

BRANTLY B 2B

Analysis

Same as Factual Information

Factual Information

According to the pilot during an interview with a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the purpose of the flight was to practice approaches and hovering. As the helicopter neared the ground, he pulled collective to enter a hover when it began to rotate clockwise. He was unable to stop the rotation and the helicopter made two full rotations prior to impacting the ground. The passenger reported that the helicopter impacted the ground "hard, but not too hard." The helicopter bounced, rolled over, and came to rest on the left side of the fuselage, which resulted in substantial damage to the main rotor blades, the fuselage, and tailboom. A postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. In addition, the pilot stated that the passenger was "ride[ing] along" on the flight controls.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control during landing resulting in a hard landing and a roll over.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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