# NTSB ATL82FIJ01: Brantley B-2B, N2255U, Athens, WV, May 9, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: May 9, 1982, 09:56 local (14:56 UTC)
- Place: Athens, WV
- Location: 37.4207° N, 81.0125° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Athens, WV, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4207&lon=-81.0125&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69823
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82FIJ01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69823/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82FIJ01

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - miscellaneous - undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER CRASHED IN A WOODED, ROCKY AREA WHILE THE PILOT WAS EN ROUTE FROM THE WELCH HOSPITAL TO HIS RESIDENCE IN ATHENS, WV. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE FUEL TANK BLADDER HAD RUPTURED, BUT NO ODOR OF FUEL WAS NOTED. LATER, THE ENGINE WAS OPERATIONALLY CHECKED. DURING THE FIRST ENGINE RUN, THE PRIMER LINE TO THE NUMBER 4 CYLINDER WAS FOUND TO BE LEAKING. IT WAS NOT DETERMINED WHETHER OR NOT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY IMPACT. THE HELICOPTER HAD BEEN REFUELED ON 5/9/82 WITH 20.5 GALLONS OF FUEL. IT HAD BEEN FLOWN AN ESTIMATED 1.3 HRS SINCE THAT TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2255U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2255U-1984-04-17), registration cancelled 1984-04-17, S/N 415 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BRANTLEY B-2B
- Registry model: [Brantly B-2B](https://openairdocs.org/model/brantly-b-2b) (registry code 1440506) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 415
- Airframe hours: 1128
- Engines: LYCOMING IVO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: R.E. Davenport
- Registered owner: R.E. Davenport
- Departed: WELCH, WV
- Destination: TAHOE CITY, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 227 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 131 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19820509014309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820509014309A), May 9, 1982: Hynes B2B, Athens, WV, Substantial damage. Helicopter crashed in woods area from unknown reasons.

## Other investigations on N2255U (2)

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 NYC76FGM34](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC76FGM34), Jun 8, 1976: Brantly B-2B (N2255U), Greenburg, PA, substantial damage
- [NTSB UNK64X2942](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X2942), Jul 20, 1964: Brantly B2B (N2255U), Kutztown, PA, substantial damage

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.

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