# NTSB DFW05LA123: Bell 206B, N276M, Huffman, TX, May 18, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 18, 2005, 08:26 local (13:26 UTC) - Place: Huffman, TX - Coordinates: 29.984167, -95.341392 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9842&lon=-95.3414&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 3 serious, 2 minor - Status: Completed, report September 13, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 61507 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW05LA123 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61507/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05LA123 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight and his failure to disconnect the external load cable prior to takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - external load sling/harness - not disconnected (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis During takeoff, at an altitude of approximately 10-20 feet above ground level, the helicopter pitched nose down and impacted terrain. The 1,181-hour pilot reported to first responders that he had "forgot to unhook the drag line" prior to takeoff. Examination of the accident site revealed that the sling load basket snagged a flat-bed truck and moved it approximately five inches. ## Factual narrative On May 18, 2005, approximately 0826 central daylight time, a Bell 206B turbine powered helicopter, N276M, was destroyed when it impacted terrain following a loss of control during takeoff near Huffman, Texas. The commercial pilot and two of the four passengers sustained serious injuries. The other two passengers received minor injuries. The helicopter was registered to Horizon Helicopters Inc., of Houston, Texas, and operated by Aerial Coalition Technologies, of Riverton, Wyoming. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 133 external load operations flight. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The 1,181-hour pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that during the morning preflight, he did not notice any abnormalities with the helicopter. After the passengers stowed their equipment in the storage compartment, they boarded the helicopter. After receiving instructions from one of the passengers about the destination of the flight, the pilot lifted the helicopter to a three foot hover and "backed up approximately 10 feet." After performing a 90-degree pedal turn to the right, the pilot initiated takeoff. At an altitude of approximately 10-20 feet above ground level, the helicopter pitched nose down and impacted terrain. According to information obtained by an Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the site of the accident, the pilot reported to first responders that he had "forgot to unhook the drag line." Examination of the helicopter by the inspector revealed that the nose area was crushed aft. The tail boom was separated, the main rotor blades damaged, and the transmission was separated from its mounts. A sling-cable that was about 160-feet long was found disconnected from the helicopter. A sling-cable basket was also found disconnected from the cable. Examination of the site revealed that the sling load basket snagged a flat-bed truck and moved it approximately five inches. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N276M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N276M-2015-10-19), registration cancelled 2015-10-19, S/N 1876 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 206B - Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1876 - Engines: Rolls-Royce 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: External load, Part 133 - Operator: Aerial Coalition Technologies - Registered owner: Horizon Helicopters - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Huffman, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; injuries: serious; flight instructor, commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 1, 2005; seat: right; flight hours: 1,181 total, 136 in this make and model, 1,053 as pilot in command, 125 in the last 90 days, 52 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °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 20050518008579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050518008579A), May 18, 2005: Bell 206B, Huffman, TX, Destroyed. (-23) The helicopter was engaged in external load long line operations during the flight immediately prior to the accident. The helicopter departed with a long… 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.