# NTSB CEN13CA276: Bell 206-L4, N2036F, Fort Worth, TX, May 10, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 10, 2013, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Fort Worth, TX - Coordinates: 32.987499, -97.318611 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9875&lon=-97.3186&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Autorotation: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 23, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 86893 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13CA276 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86893/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86893 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA276 ## Probable cause The flight instructor's inadequate supervision and delayed remedial action during a practice autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206-L4, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=1182110), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206-L4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=1182110), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206-L4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=1182110), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Autorotation: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Bell 206-L4, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=1182110), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Autorotation: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 206-L4, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=1182110), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot receiving instruction was performing a practice right 180-degree autorotation. During the approach, the airspeed decreased to about 40 knots, which shortened the approach angle. At 8 to 10 feet above the ground, the flight instructor advised the pilot to apply forward cyclic while maintaining the collective position. The flight instructor then "used what was left of the rotor rpm to cushion the landing." During the touchdown, the helicopter landed hard, which resulted in structural damage to the tailboom. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot receiving instruction was conducting a practice right 180 degree autorotation. During the approach, the airspeed decreased to approximately 40 knots which shortened the approach angle. At 8 to 10 feet above the ground, the flight instructor advised the pilot to apply forward cyclic while maintaining the collective position. The flight instructor then "used what was left of the rotor RPM to cushion the landing." During the touchdown, the helicopter landed hard, which resulted in structural damage to the tailboom. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2036F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2036F), registered now, S/N 52123, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 206-L4 - Registry model: [Bell 206-L4](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206-l4) (registry code 1182110) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison 250-C30 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c30-series) (registry code 03015, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 52123 - Engines: Rolls Royce 250-C30P 650 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Bell Helicopter Customer Training Academy - Registered owner: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: AFW, Fort Worth, TX - Destination: AFW, Fort Worth, TX - Airport: PVT, Private ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 49; injuries: none; commercial, private, flight instructor; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 25, 2013; seat: left; flight hours: 3,900 total, 40 in this make and model, 3,500 as pilot in command, 85 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours - Pilot; injuries: none; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown; seat: right ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 3 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,600 ft overcast - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 68 °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 20130510007049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130510007049A), May 10, 2013: Bell 206-L4, Ft Worth, TX, Substantial damage. Bell helicopter company instructor pilot and customer pilot conducting 180 degree autorotation touchdown training. Customer on the controls allowed airspeed to… ## Other investigations on N2036F (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 WPR23LA059](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA059), Dec 7, 2022: Bell 206-L4 (N2036F), Ft Worth, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident, was the flight instructor’s inadequate supervision. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 16, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86893. 1.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40392613&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.