# NTSB ERA12CA199: Bell OH-58A, N38FA, Eufaula, AL, March 1, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 1, 2012, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Eufaula, AL - Coordinates: 31.95111, -85.127777 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9511&lon=-85.1278&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Autorotation: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 18, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 83005 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA199 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83005/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83005 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA199 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusting wind, which resulted in an excessive descent rate and hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell OH-58A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md?model=1181579), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell OH-58A, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1181579), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell OH-58A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=1181579), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Autorotation: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell OH-58A, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=1181579), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was conducting annual refresher training with a certified flight instructor. During a practice autorotation to runway 18, the helicopter descended below a nearby tree line and then suddenly dropped. He stated that the helicopter descended so rapidly that he was unable to arrest the descent rate and the helicopter landed hard. The pilot reported that the wind was from 230 degrees at 10 knots with gusts to 19 knots at the time of the accident. He reported that, as the helicopter descended below treetop level, "…we lost all lift and wind advantage." The hard landing resulted in a fractured tail boom. The pilots reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was conducting annual refresher training with a certified flight instructor. During a practice autorotation to runway 18, the helicopter descended below a nearby tree line and "dropped vertically." He stated that the helicopter descended so rapidly that he was unable to arrest the descent rate and the helicopter landed hard. The pilot reported the winds from 230 degrees at 10 knots with gusts to 19 knots at the time of the accident. He reported that, as the helicopter descended below treetop level, "…we lost all lift and wind advantage…" The hard landing resulted in a fractured tail boom. The pilots reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N38FA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N38FA), registered now, S/N 70-15448 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL OH-58A - Registry model: [Bell OH-58A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-oh-58a) (registry code 1181579) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 70-15448 - Airframe hours: 7706 - Engines: Rolls Royce T63-A720 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: B & S Air Inc - Registered owner: B & S Air Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special); Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 21, 2011 - Departed: EUF, Eufaula, AL - Destination: EUF, Eufaula, AL - Airport: EUF, Weedon Field Airport, runway 18, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 19, 2011; seat: right; flight hours: 23,155 total, 14,000 in this make and model, 22,000 as pilot in command - Flight instructor; age 56; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 17, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 25,000 total, 8,000 in this make and model, 24,950 as pilot in command, 240 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 7 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: EUF ## 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 20120301003829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120301003829A), Mar 1, 2012: Bell OH-58A, Eufaul, AL, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted] Was receiving annual refresher training from [privacy data omitted]. After completing lowlevel airwork they climbed to 500 feet for… ## Other investigations on N38FA (2) 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 ERA10LA484](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA484), Sep 18, 2010: Bell OH-58A (N38FA), Covington, TN, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power due to contamination of the helicopter's fuel supply. - [NTSB LAX03LA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA126), Apr 4, 2003: Bell OH-58A (N38FA), Calipatria, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the helicopter, and an inadvertent dynamic rollover during takeoff-initial climb, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain. ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 24, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83005. 1.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 685 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365178&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 108 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365179&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - FAA Records of Telephone Call (item 3, .PDF, 99 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365180&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Records%20of%20Telephone%20Call-Redacted.PDF - Pilots' Written Statements (item 4, .PDF, 103 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365181&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilots%27%20Written%20Statements-Master.PDF - Photo: Helicopter Substantial Damage (FAA Digital Photo) (item 5, .PDF, 586 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365182&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%3A%20Helicopter%20Substantial%20Damage%20(FAA%20Digital%20Photo)-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 6, .PDF, 38 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365183&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Redacted.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.