# NTSB ERA12LA210: Bell 206B, N83AP, Titusville, FL, March 6, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 6, 2012, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Titusville, FL - Coordinates: 28.458333, -80.86222 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.4583&lon=-80.8622&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 3 minor - Status: Completed, report October 15, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 83049 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12LA210 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83049/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83049 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA210 ## Probable cause The flight instructor's attempted takeoff in gusting wind conditions while the student pilot was adjusting her anti-torque pedals, which resulted in a dynamic rollover event. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/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 206B, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Bell 206B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=1181511), [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. - [Takeoff: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 161 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md) ## Analysis After landing the helicopter at a local training area so two students could switch seats, the flight instructor initiated a takeoff. The wind was 28 knots, gusting up to 40 knots, and the takeoff area was adjacent to a line of trees. When the flight instructor raised the collective, the helicopter immediately rolled to the right. The instructor attempted to stop the roll with opposite cyclic; however, this was unsuccessful and the helicopter came to rest inverted. The instructor shut down the engine, and he and the students exited the helicopter. Postaccident examination revealed that the student in the right cockpit seat was still adjusting her anti-torque pedals when the takeoff began. The operator reported no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The accident sequence was consistent with a "dynamic rollover" scenario. ## Factual narrative On March 6, 2012, about 0930 eastern standard time, a Bell 206B, N83AP, was substantially damaged during takeoff from a helicopter training area near Titusville, Florida. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and two non-certificated student pilots sustained minor injuries. The helicopter was registered to a corporation and operated by Bristow Academy under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a company visual flight rules flight plan was filed and active. The local flight originated at Space Coast Regional Airport (TIX), Titusville, Florida, at 0810. According to the CFI, he was in the lead helicopter of a flight of four, conducting a check ride with the 2 students. The flight landed at Echo Training Area, where the students switched seats. During the next takeoff, with the CFI at the controls, the helicopter rolled to the right immediately as the collective was raised. He attempted to arrest the roll with opposite cyclic, however the helicopter continued to roll over and came to rest inverted. After the helicopter became inverted, he turned off the fuel valve in order to shut down the engine. An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. He reported that the main rotor blades separated from the hub and the tail boom fractured. He also reported that the student in the right cockpit seat was still adjusting her anti-torque pedals with her feet as the CFI initiated the takeoff. The takeoff area was also adjacent to a line of trees. The weather conditions at 0950 at Space Coast Regional Airport (TIX), Titusville, Florida, included winds from 070 degrees at 28 knots, with gusts to 40 knots. TIX was located about 6 nautical miles northeast of the accident site. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N83AP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N83AP), registered now, S/N 4439 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 206B - Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rolls-Royce 250-C20J](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-250-c20j) (registry code 54181, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 4439 - Airframe hours: 459 - Engines: Rolls Royce 250-C20J 400 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Bristow Academy - Registered owner: Gm Leasing Co LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 13, 2012, 66 hours before - Departed: TIX, Titusville, FL - Destination: TIX, Titusville, FL - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: Training Area Echo ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 37; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 26, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 1,894 total, 300 in this make and model, 1,600 as pilot in command, 95 in the last 90 days, 49 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 28; injuries: minor; seat: right ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 28 knots, gusting 40 - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Observed at: TIX ## 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 20120306002859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120306002859A), Mar 6, 2012: Bell 206B, Titusville, FL, Substantial damage. During take off from area echo in Titusville helicopter rolled right impacting rotor blades to ground and flipped on its back taking substantial damage. ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 9, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83049. 1.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 843 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369703&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot's Written Statement (item 2, .PDF, 79 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369705&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Written%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statement (item 3, .PDF, 89 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369706&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Excerpt from Bristow Academy Accident Report (item 4, .PDF, 30 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369708&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpt%20from%20Bristow%20Academy%20Accident%20Report-Master.PDF - NTSB Memorandum of Record - Conversation with FAA Inspector (item 5, .PDF, 39 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369709&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Memorandum%20of%20Record%20-%20Conversation%20with%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF - Weather Data (item 6, .PDF, 31 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369710&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Data-Master.PDF - Photo 1: Main Wreckage, Inverted (FAA Digital Photo) (item 7, .PDF, 130 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369712&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Main%20Wreckage,%20Inverted%20(FAA%20Digital%20Photo)-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Main Wreckage, Inverted (FAA Digital Photo) (item 8, .PDF, 157 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369714&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Main%20Wreckage,%20Inverted%20(FAA%20Digital%20Photo)-Master.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.