# NTSB DFW07CA086: Brantly Helicopter B2, N5931X, Vernon, TX, March 19, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 19, 2007, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Vernon, TX - Coordinates: 34.225, -99.2833333333333 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2250&lon=-99.2833&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 29, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Fort Worth, Texas., Lycoming - NTSB case key (mKey): 65443 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW07CA086 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65443/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW07CA086 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. 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, cruise - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The 3,696-hour pilot, who reported having accumulated a total of 96 hours in the same make and model as the accident helicopter, reported that while returning to the airport, following a short local flight, the engine lost power without warning. The pilot reported that the helicopter was at an altitude of approximately 75-feet above the ground when the loss of engine power occurred. The pilot added that he initiated an autorotation and due to his altitude, he did not have many forced landing options other than to continue straight ahead. The helicopter came to rest in the upright position in a field among mesquite trees. All three main rotor blades were destroyed and the fuselage sustained minor damage. Both the pilot and his passenger egressed the helicopter through the side doors without injuries. The helicopter was reported to have 15 gallons of fuel on board prior to its departure on the 15-minute flight. The reason for the reported loss of engine power could not be determined. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, who responded to the accident site, reported that the aircraft had been stored in a hangar with the airworthiness certificate removed for approximately 30 years prior to its re-issuance on February 15, 2007. The 1969 model helicopter was reported to have accumulated a total of 570 hours since new. Weather was reported as clear skies, wind from 200 degrees at 16 knots, and an altimeter setting of 29.90 inches of Mercury. ## Factual narrative The 3,696-hour pilot, who reported having accumulated a total of 96 hours in the same make and model, reported that while returning to the airport, following a short local flight, the engine lost power without warning. The pilot reported that the helicopter was at an altitude of approximately 75-feet above the ground when the loss of engine power occurred. The pilot added that he initiated an autorotation and due to his altitude, did not have many forced landing options other than continue straight ahead. The helicopter came to rest in the upright position in a field among mesquite trees. All three main rotor blades were destroyed and the fuselage sustained minor damage. Both the pilot and his passenger egressed the helicopter through the side doors without injuries. The helicopter was reported to have 15 gallons of fuel on board prior to its departure on the 15 minute flight. The reason for the reported loss of engine power could not be determined. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, who responded to the accident site, reported that the aircraft had been stored in a hangar with the airworthiness certificate removed for approximately 30 years prior to its re-issuance on February 15, 2007. The 1969 model helicopter was reported to have accumulated a total of 570 hours since new. Weather was reported as clear skies, wind from 200 degrees at 16 knots, and an altimeter setting of 29.90 inches of Mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5931X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5931X), registered now, S/N 69 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Brantly Helicopter B2 - Registry model: [Brantly B-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/brantly-b-2) (registry code 1440502) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 69 - Airframe hours: 570 - Engines: Lycoming VO-360-A1B 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2007 - Departed: F05, Vernon, TX - Airport: F05, Wilbarger County Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 1, 2006; seat: right; flight hours: 3,696 total, 96 in this make and model, 2,080 as pilot in command, 280 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 16 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: F05 ## 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 20070319004139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070319004139A), Mar 19, 2007: Brantl B2, Vernon, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On March 19, 2007 at 1030 CST, a brantly B-2, N5931X owned by the pilot [privacy data omitted] lost power on approach to runway with VMC weather… 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.