# NTSB DFW06CA217: Brantly Helicopter B-2B, N888CF, Carrizo Springs, TX, September 29, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 29, 2006, 18:15 local (23:15 UTC) - Place: Carrizo Springs, TX - Coordinates: 28.516944, -99.928337 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.5169&lon=-99.9283&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: San Antonio, Texas - NTSB case key (mKey): 64623 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW06CA217 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64623/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW06CA217 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to a malfunction of the electric fuel pump. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - fuel system,electric boost pump - malfunction (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - autorotation - initiated, pilot in command - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - wire,transmission - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he had flown the helicopter to a nearby municipal airport to refuel. After topping off the 31-gallon fuel system, the airline transport rated pilot, who reported having accumulated 276 flight hours in helicopters, was westbound to a ranch located about 30 miles away, near the border. About five minutes into the flight, while the helicopter was in cruise flight, the engine "started running rough." The pilot noted that the fuel pressure had dropped to about "half of what is normal" and since the terrain on both sides of the highway were "rough and thick with mesquite trees" he elected to initiate an autorotation to the highway, which at the time was clear of vehicular traffic. During the autorotation, while approximately 50-feet above the ground, the pilot observed unmarked power lines. The pilot attempted to maneuver the helicopter to avoid hitting the power lines with the main rotor. The bottom wire collided with the vertical pylon supporting the tail rotor gear box which resulted in a loss of tail rotor drive. The helicopter impacted the ground while in a right drift which collapsed the right landing gear skid and rolled the helicopter. There was no fire and the pilot was able to egress the helicopter unassisted. The pilot reported that it was later determined that the electric fuel boost pump had malfunctioned. The airframe had accumulated 2,136 hours since new and the 180-horsepower engine had accumulated 704 hours since its last overhaul. At the time of the accident, the pilot reported that the weather was clear with 10 miles visibility and calm winds. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported he had flown the helicopter to a nearby municipal airport in order to refuel the aircraft. After topping off the 31-gallon fuel system, the airline transport rated pilot, who reported having accumulated 276 flight hours in helicopters, was westbound to a ranch located about 30 miles away, near the border. About five minutes into the flight, while the helicopter was in cruise flight, the engine "started running rough." The pilot noted that the fuel pressure had dropped to about "half of what is normal" and since the terrain on both sides of the highway were "rough and thick with mesquite trees" he elected to initiate an autorotation to the highway, which at the time was clear of vehicular traffic. During the autorotation, while approximately 50-feet above the ground, the pilot observed unmarked powerlines. The pylon attempted to maneuver the helicopter to avoid hitting the powerlines with the main rotor. The bottom wire collided with the vertical pylon supporting the tail rotor gear box which resulted in a loss of tail rotor drive. The helicopter impacted the ground while in a right drift which collapsed the right landing gear skid and rolled the helicopter. There was no fire and the pilot was able to egress the helicopter unassisted. The pilot reported that it was later determined that the electric fuel boost pump had malfunctioned. The airframe had accumulated 2,136 hours since new and the 180-horsepower engine had accumulated 704 hours since its last overhaul. At the time of the accident, the pilot reported that the weather was clear with 10 miles visibility and calm winds. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N888CF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N888CF), registered now, S/N 457, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Brantly Helicopter B-2B - Registry model: [Brantly B-2B](https://openairdocs.org/model/brantly-b-2b) (registry code 1440506) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IVO-360-A1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ivo-360-a1a) (registry code 41633, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 457 - Airframe hours: 2136 - Engines: Lycoming IVO-360-AIA 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Bishop Aviation Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2006 - Departed: KCZT, Carrizo Springs, TX - Destination: Private Ranch, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2006; seat: right; flight hours: 35,000 total, 276 in this make and model, 200 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 0 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °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 20060929027849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060929027849A), Sep 29, 2006: Hynes B2B, Carrizo Springs, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On September 29, 2006, approximately 2336 CST, the pilot in command of N888CF (a brantly rotorcraft, serial number 457), after departing Carrizo Springs… 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.