# Accident 20210506008169A: Mcdonnell Douglas Heli Co 369FF, CA, May 6, 2021

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 6, 2021, 13:30 local time
- Place: CA
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Hover/Holding
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 35.1969° N, 114.8565° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1969&lon=-114.8565&mi=10
- Aircraft: N972BW, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N972BW-2021-08-17) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Mcdonnell Douglas Heli 369FF (registry code 3027371, https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-heli-369ff) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Allison 250-C30 series (registry code 03015, https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c30-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MCDONNELL DOUGLAS HELI CO 369FF
- Reported engine: ALLISON 250-C30 SER
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 3,208 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR21LA185](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA185) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210506008169A

## Narrative

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

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF ENCOUNTER A DUST DEVIL FROM THE RIGHT OF THE AIRCRAFT, LOST LIFT, HELICOPTER BECAME INCONTROLLABLE AND EXPERIENCED HARD LANDING.

## 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 WPR21LA185](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA185), May 6, 2021: Mcdonnell Douglas Heli 369FF (N972BW), Palm Gardens, NV, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control during an encounter with a dust devil shortly after takeoff.

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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