# NTSB CEN16LA135: Brantly B 2B, N2266U, Galena, MO, March 25, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 25, 2016, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Galena, MO - Coordinates: 36.705554, -93.44889 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7056&lon=-93.4489&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report June 20, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: TSI, FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 92911 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN16LA135 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92911/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92911 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA135 ## Probable cause The pilot’s loss of control for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## 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) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Brantly B-2B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=1440506), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: qualification/certification](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [Brantly B-2B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md?model=1440506), [All aircraft, 280 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: 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) - [Uncontrolled descent: 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) ## Analysis Two witnesses saw the helicopter circle three times at low altitude. During the third pass, the helicopter descended to about 20 ft above the ground before it entered a climb. As it climbed, the helicopter entered a spin and descended to the ground. Both of the witnesses stated that the engine continued to run after impact. A postaccident examination of the wreckage did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the helicopter, and the reason for the loss of control could not be determined. Review of the pilot's logbook showed he had about 192 hours of helicopter flight time but did not hold a rotorcraft rating. ## Factual narrative On March 25, 2016, about 1730 central daylight time, a Brantly B-2B helicopter, N2266U, collided with trees and terrain following a loss of control in Galena, Missouri. The pilot received serious injuries. The helicopter was substantially damaged. The helicopter was owned and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not operated on a flight plan. The flight originated from private property in Cape Fair, Missouri about 1715.The pilot flew the helicopter to a restaurant located about 4 miles from the accident site, where he ate. A witness reported the pilot then started the helicopter and as it was warming up, the engine backfired. The witness reported the engine did not sound "right" to him as the helicopter took off and he thought it was going to contact the trees prior to it gaining sufficient altitude. The pilot flew about 4 miles southeast where another witness, located across the street from the accident site, saw the helicopter. This witness stated the helicopter circled his property three times, in a clockwise direction. The second pass was about 40 to 60 ft above the trees, during which, he waved to the pilot and the pilot waved back. The helicopter looked as if it was going to land on the third pass as it was about 20 ft above the ground before it climbed out. As the helicopter climbed, the engine power sounded like it was fluctuating. He then saw the tail "dip" and the helicopter began to spin. He lost sight of the helicopter behind the trees, then heard the impact. He stated the engine of the helicopter continued to run for several minutes after the impact. This witness took several photographs of the helicopter as it circled his residence. Another witness heard the helicopter from inside her house. She stated she went outside and saw the helicopter circle the area three times at an "unusually" low altitude. She stated the helicopter was about 20 ft above the trees in a level attitude when it started spinning to the left and descending. She also stated the engine continued to run after the impact. The helicopter came to rest in a heavily wooded area. First responders reported the helicopter was leaking fuel when they arrived. A postaccident examination of the wreckage was conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector. The tailboom was separated from the fuselage which came to rest in a nose down attitude. The red blade was separated from the mast, and the outboard sections of all three main rotor blades were fractured and separated from the inboard sections. The main rotor shaft and planet gear assembly sustained impact damage. Continuity of the rudder control system was established and all separations appeared to be overload. No anomalies were noted that would have resulted in a loss of control or loss of engine power. The pilot held a private pilot certificate with an airplanesingle-engine land rating. He did not hold a helicopter rating. A review of the pilot's logbook indicated he had 191.8 hours of helicopter flight time, 119.6 hours of which were logged as pilot-in-command. The pilot logged 122.6 hours in the accident make and model helicopter. At 1850, the reported wind conditions at the Branson Airport, located 18 miles southeast of the accident site, were 110 degrees at 12 knots. The National Transportation Safety Board was subsequently notified that the pilot passed away on June 9, 2016. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2266U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2266U-2018-05-30), registration cancelled 2018-05-30, S/N 428, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BRANTLY B 2B (B) - 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: 428 - Year built: 1964 - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 15, 2015 - Departed: Cape Fair, MO - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; seat: right; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1,641 total, 122.5 in this make and model, 1,594.4 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: BBG, 18 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 20160325002519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160325002519A), Mar 25, 2016: Brantly B-2B, Galena, MO, Destroyed. Witness observed the helicopter flying low over wooded area near Galena, MO when it appeared to spin around and crash into the trees. ## Other investigations on N2266U (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 FTW95LA172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA172), Mar 9, 1995: Brantly Helicopter B-2B (N2266U), Elk City, OK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE DURING A HOVERING TURN. A FACTOR WAS THE LOW TEMPERATURE. ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 4, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92911. 3.0 MB in all. - Record of Conversations (item 1, .PDF, 144 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40451744&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversations-Master.PDF - Missouri State Highway Patrol Report (item 2, .PDF, 64 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40451745&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Missouri%20State%20Highway%20Patrol%20Report-Master.PDF - Witness List (item 3, .PDF, 217 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40451746&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20List-Master.PDF - Fueling Information (item 4, .PDF, 275 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40451747&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Fueling%20Information-Master.PDF - Maintenance Records (item 5, .PDF, 817 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40451748&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Records-Master.PDF - Google Earth Images (item 6, .PDF, 436 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40451749&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Google%20Earth%20Images-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 7, .PDF, 4 photos, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40451750&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-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.