# Accident 20170718009109A: D & K Aviation BABY BELLE, Spartanburg, SC, July 18, 2017

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 18, 2017, 08:30 local time
- Place: Spartanburg, SC
- Airport: Spartanburg Downtown Memorial
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Taxi
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 34.9158° N, 81.9564° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9158&lon=-81.9564&mi=10
- Aircraft: N211CJ, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N211CJ-2020-08-14) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: D & K BABY BELLE (registry code 056311V, https://openairdocs.org/model/d-k-baby-belle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming O-360-C2C (registry code 42287, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-c2c) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: D & K AVIATION BABY BELLE
- Reported engine: LYCOMING O-360-C2C
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 320 total, 45 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA17LA256](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA256) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170718009109A

## Narrative

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

STUDENT HELICOPTER PILOT TAXIING FROM GRASSY AREA ADJACENT TO RWY 23 TO GRASSY AREA ADJACENT TO RWY 05.  PILOT HAD A LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WHICH WAS PARTIALLY REGAINED BUT HIS SUBSEQUENT LANDING WAS HARD AND RESULTED IN AIRCRAFT LEANING TO THE RIGHT AND POSSIBLY THE ROTOR SYSTEM CONTACTED TAILBOOM AND RESULTED IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGES TO AIRCRAFT.

REGULATORY ISSUES IDENTIFIED ARE LAPSED MEDICAL CERTIFICATE AND AIRCRAFT REGISTRATION

## 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 ERA17LA256](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA256), Jul 19, 2017: D & K Baby Belle (N211CJ), Spartanburg, SC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control during the approach to landing.

## Other reports on N211CJ (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 20130115000429I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130115000429I), Jan 15, 2013: D & K Aviation BABY BELLE (N211CJ), Hammond, LA, Minor damage. During aircraft run-up, ground crew (helper) approached aircraft from the rear, while engine was running and operating at idle. Main & tail rotor was turning.…

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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