# NTSB CEN13LA546: Brantly B-2B, N2253U, Rothbury, MI, August 29, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 29, 2013, 16:43 local (20:43 UTC) - Place: Rothbury, MI - Coordinates: 43.503649, -86.350199 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5036&lon=-86.3502&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report November 13, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO Grand Rapids - NTSB case key (mKey): 88035 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13LA546 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88035/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88035 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA546 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control while turning to avoid trees during an aborted takeoff in gusting wind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Brantly B-2B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1440506), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: prop/rotor parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Brantly B-2B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md?model=1440506), [All aircraft, 182 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); 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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Brantly B-2B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1440506), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Brantly B-2B, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=1440506), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he initiated a takeoff in light and variable wind conditions from the middle of a private field. During the takeoff, the pilot initiated a left pedal turn to abort the takeoff, likely in an attempt to avoid trees. During the left pedal turn, a wind gust forced the helicopter toward the ground. The helicopter subsequently impacted the ground hard at a near-level attitude on an uphill slope. The main rotor blade struck the ground, and the helicopter then rolled and came to rest on its left side. The open field was about 750 feet long (east to west) and 150 feet wide. The field was surrounded by about 30- to 40-foot-tall pine trees with larger growth on the west end. Performance charts from the helicopter's flight manual indicated that the helicopter should have had sufficient takeoff climb performance to clear the trees. Examination of the helicopter did not reveal any mechanical anomalies with the flight controls or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the helicopter was operating normally before the accident. ## Factual narrative On August 29, 2013, at 1643 eastern daylight time, a Brandtly B2B helicopter, N2253U, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it impacted the ground after takeoff from a private field near Rothbury, Michigan. The commercial pilot and passenger received minor injuries. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the vicinity and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that he initiated takeoff in light and variable wind conditions from the middle of a private field. He hover taxied downwind to the east end of the field before commencing the takeoff to the west. During the takeoff, the pilot realized that the helicopter would not clear a tree line located at the edge of the field. He initiated a pedal turn to the left away from the trees to attempt to abort the takeoff. He stated that during the left pedal turn, a gust of wind forced the helicopter toward the ground. The helicopter impacted the ground hard near level attitude on an uphill slope. The main rotor blade struck the ground, the helicopter rolled, and came to rest on its left side. The open field was approximately 750 feet in length (east to west) and 150 feet wide. The field was surrounded by pines trees approximately 30 to 40 feet tall with larger growth on the west end. Performance charts from the helicopter's flight manual indicated that the helicopter should have had the takeoff climb performance to clear the trees during takeoff. Examination of the helicopter by an FAA inspector did not reveal any mechanical anomalies with the flight controls and engine. The pilot reported that the helicopter was operating normally prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2253U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2253U-2019-11-29), registration cancelled 2019-11-29, S/N 412, built 1964 (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: 412 - Airframe hours: 1572 - Engines: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Gregory S McCabe and Bruce L McCabe - Registered owner: Gregory S McCabe and Bruce L McCabe - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 10, 2013, 46 hours before - Departed: Rothbury, MI - Destination: Rothbury, MI ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; injuries: minor; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 26, 2013; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,060 total, 31 in this make and model, 1,953 as pilot in command, 239 in the last 90 days, 85 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F ## 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 20130829017319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130829017319A), Aug 29, 2013: Brantly B-2B, Rothbury, MI, Substantial damage. On August 29, 2013, approximately 16:45 central daylight time, a Brantly B-2B helicopter, N2253U, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain while… ## Other investigations on N2253U (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 CHI74FEV10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI74FEV10), Aug 6, 1973: Brantly B-2B (N2253U), Gibson City, IL, substantial damage ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 1, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88035. 8.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417190&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 213 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417191&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Weather Information (item 3, .PDF, 26 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417192&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Information-Master.PDF - Overhead View of Flight Path (item 4, .PDF, 1 photo, 127 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417193&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Overhead%20View%20of%20Flight%20Path-Master.PDF - Accident Site Photos Provided by First Responders (item 5, .PDF, 4 photos, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417194&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Site%20Photos%20Provided%20by%20First%20Responders-Redacted.PDF - First Responder Incident Report (item 6, .PDF, 94 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417195&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=First%20Responder%20Incident%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Helicopter Flight Manual Excerpts and Performance Charts (item 7, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417196&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Helicopter%20Flight%20Manual%20Excerpts%20and%20Performance%20Charts-Master.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.