# NTSB CEN09CA068: Brantly B-2B, N2180U, Cedar Hill, TX, November 20, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 20, 2008, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Cedar Hill, TX - Coordinates: 32.549999, -96.966667 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5500&lon=-96.9667&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 24, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 69480 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA068 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69480/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA068 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper decision to takeoff downwind. A contributing factor was the gusty conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Brantly B-2B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=1440506), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Brantly B-2B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=1440506), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Brantly B-2B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=1440506), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Settling with power/vortex ring state](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244); cases with it: [Brantly B-2B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244/sequence.md?model=1440506), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Brantly B-2B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=1440506), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097); cases with it: [Brantly B-2B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=1440506), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md) ## Analysis The non-helicopter-rated pilot and passenger departed downwind for a local flight. Once above the surrounding obstacles, the helicopter began to settle. Unable to arrest the rate of decent, the pilot elected to land in an empty industrial park lot. The helicopter experienced a hard landing and rolled on to its side. The pilot and passenger were able to exit the helicopter unassisted. The pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented if he would have observed the wind condition from an obstacle free area before departure. A weather reporting station 14 miles east of the accident site reported, wind from 360 degrees at 18 knots gusting to 23 knots. ## Factual narrative The non helicopter rated pilot and passenger departed downwind for a local flight. Once above the surrounding obstacles the helicopter began to settle. Unable to arrest the rate of decent, the pilot elected to land in an empty industrial park lot. The helicopter experienced a hard landing and rolled on to its side. The pilot and passenger were able to exit the helicopter unassisted. The pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented if he would have observed the wind condition from an obstacle free area before departure. A weather reporting station 14 miles east of the accident site reported, wind from 360 degrees at 18 knots gusting to 23 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2180U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2180U-2017-07-14), registration cancelled 2017-07-14, S/N 342, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BRANTLY B-2B - Registry model: [Brantly B-2B](https://openairdocs.org/model/brantly-b-2b) (registry code 1440506) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 342 - Engines: LYCOMING IVO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Inverted U S - Registered owner: Inverted U S - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Cedar Hill, TX - Destination: Cedar Hill, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 27, 2008; seat: right; flight hours: 6,000 total, 83 in this make and model, 6,000 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 18 knots, gusting 23 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.26 inHg - Observed at: LNC, 14 nm away ## 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 20081120851899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081120851899A), Nov 20, 2008: Brantl B2B, Cedra Hill, TX, Destroyed. (-23) The pilot indicated that he took off at about 15:00 with one passenger. Winds were at about 90 degree cross wind. The helicopter climbed to 40'. The… ## Other investigations on N2180U (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 FTW76FPJ18](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW76FPJ18), Dec 9, 1975: Brantly B2B (N2180U), Frederick, OK, substantial damage - [NTSB NYC72FGM03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC72FGM03), Jul 10, 1971: Brantly B2B (N2180U), Williamsburg, 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.