# NTSB DFW07LA111: Bell 206B, N905WP, Horseshoe Bay, TX, May 13, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 13, 2007, 07:45 local (12:45 UTC) - Place: Horseshoe Bay, TX - Coordinates: 30.532326, -98.376533 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5323&lon=-98.3765&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 30, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 65765 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW07LA111 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65765/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW07LA111 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of control as result of dynamic rollover while attempting to takeoff. Facrots were the landing skid becoming snagged and the soft terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - dynamic rollover - encountered, pilot in command (cause) - landing gear,skid assembly - snagged (contributing factor) - Roll over, unknown ## Analysis The 90-hour helicopter private pilot lost control of the helicopter after encountering dynamic rollover while attempting to bring the helicopter to a hover. The pilot reported that the forward portion of the right landing gear skid of the helicopter became entangled in soft and wet ground. An FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, confirmed that the helicopter came to rest on its right side, resulting in structural damage to the airframe and the tailboom. There was no fire and the pilot was able to egress the helicopter unassisted. ## Factual narrative On May 13, 2007, at 0745 central daylight time, a single-engine Bell 206B3 helicopter, N905WP, was substantially damaged following a loss of control while attempting to takeoff from a private subdivision near Horseshoe Bay, Texas. The private pilot, sole occupant of the helicopter, sustained minor injuries. The helicopter was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed throughout the area for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91flight. No flight plan was filed for the intended 214-nautical mile personal cross-country flight which was originating at the time of the mishap. The flight's destination was the Midland International Airport (MAF), near Midland, Texas. The 90-hour helicopter pilot reported that the forward portion of the right landing gear skid got became hung-up with the tall grass on the soft and wet ground while the pilot attempted to bring the aircraft to a hover prior to takeoff. The helicopter encountered dynamic rollover and rolled uncontrolled, coming to rest on its right side. The pilot stated that he was well aware of dynamic rollover; however, he never considered the possibility of a landing gear skid tube being "hung-up" on the soft ground. Dynamic rollover was well discussed during his initial helicopter training, and was normally associated with slope landings. The pilot further stated, that while planning his takeoff to a hover, he was primarily concerned with a tree located on the left side of the aircraft. He wanted to make sure the did not inadvertently allowed the helicopter to drift to the left when he brought the helicopter to a hover. An FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, confirmed that the helicopter came to rest on its right side, resulting in structural damage to the airframe and the tailboom. There was no fire and the pilot was able to egress the helicopter unassisted. The pilot denied having any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe. The fuel system was not compromised and there were no fuel spills. The helicopter had approximately 95 gallons of fuel on board at the time of the mishap. At 0753, the weather at the Burnett Municipal Airport (BMQ), located approximately 9-nautical miles northeast of the mishap, was reporting calm wind, clear skies, 10-miles visibility, temperature 23 degree Celsius, dew point 16 degree Celsius, with an altimeter setting of 30.16 inches. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N905WP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N905WP), registered now, S/N 3224, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 206B - Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 250HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-250hp) (registry code 03002, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 3224 - Engines: Allison 250 SER 250 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Clay Johnson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 2006 - Departed: Horseshoe Bay, TX - Destination: MAF, Midland, TX - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 90 total, 90 in this make and model, 50 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: KBMQ ## 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 20070513009069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070513009069A), May 13, 2007: Bell 206B, Horseshoe Bay, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On may 13, 2007 (at 0745 hrs central daylight time), a single engine Bell 206-B helicopter, N905WP, was substantially damaged following a loss of control… 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.