# Accident 20150529008179A: Bell 206B, Grand Rapids, MI, May 29, 2015

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 29, 2015, 11:34 local time
- Place: Grand Rapids, MI
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Hover/Holding
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 42.8225° N, 85.4914° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8225&lon=-85.4914&mi=10
- Aircraft: N206ED, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N206ED-2018-02-27) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bell 206B (registry code 1181511, https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Allison 250-C20 series (registry code 03020, https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Reported engine: ALLISON 250-C20 SER
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 1,407 total, 425 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB GAA15CA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA102) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150529008179A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON MAY 29, 2015, APPROXIMATELY 11:34 EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME (EDT), A BELL 206B, SINGLE-ENGINE HELICOPTER, N206ED, SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE WHEN IT IMPACT TREES WHILE MANEUVERING NEAR CALEDONIA, MICHIGAN. THE COMMERCIAL PILOT AND OBSERVER WERE NOT INJURED. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED, AND A FLIGHT PLAN WAS NOT FILED FOR THE 14 CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS PART 91 COMMERCIAL FLIGHT. THE FLIGHT DEPARTED JACKSON COUNTY- REYNOLDS AIRPORT (JXN) MICHIGAN, APPROXIMATELY 0930, EN ROUTE FOR POWER LINE INSPECTION

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT HE WAS FLYING AT THE TOPS OF THE 48KV POWER LINES HEADING NORTH NORTH WEST WHEN HE SLOWED AND STARTED A CLIMBING TURN TO THE RIGHT IN ORDER TO INSPECT A STRUCTURE. DURING THIS MANEUVER HE WAS HIT BY A GUST OF WIND THAT CAUSED THE NOSE TO RISE AND INTRODUCED A RIGHT TURNING MOMENT. THE PILOT TRIED TO COMPENSATE BUT RAN OUT OF TAIL ROTOR AUTHORITY.  HE REDUCED POWER TO DECREASE THE TORQUE BUT COULD NOT GET THE AIRSPEED BACK RESULTING IN LOSS OF TAIL ROTOR EFFECTIVENESS (LTE).  THE HELICOPTER SETTLED INTO THE TREES IN A STABLE UPRIGHT SPIN.  THE HELICOPTER CAME TO REST ON ITS LEFT SIDE APPROXIMATELY 50FT UP IN THE TREES.  THE PILOT AND PASSENGER CLIMBED OUT THE DOOR AND HELD ON TO THE TREE UNTIL THEY WERE RESCUED BY A BOOM TRUCK. THE ACCIDENT SITE WAS LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES SOUTH OF THE GRAND RAPIDS, GERALD R. FORD AIRPORT (KGRR).  THE HELICOPTER TAIL SECTION WAS BENT 90 DEGREES TO THE LEFT AND THE ROTORS HAD DAMAGE FROM THE TREE STRIKES.

AT 11:53 EDT, THE GRAND RAPIDS, GERALD R. FORD AIRPORT AUTOMATED SURFACE OBSERVING SYSTEM (ASOS), LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES NORTH OF THE ACCIDENT SITE, REPORTED THE WIND FROM 180 DEGREES AT 14 KNOTS, VISIBILITY 10 STATUTE MILES, SKY BROKEN AT 23,000 FEET, TEMPERATURE 26 DEGREES CELSIUS AND DEW POINT 19 DEGREES CELSIUS, AND AN ALTIMETER SETTING OF 30.08 INCHES OF MERCURY.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB GAA15CA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA102), May 29, 2015: Bell 206 - B11 (N206ED), Caledonia, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of tail rotor effectiveness while maneuvering at low altitude, resulting in a collision with trees.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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