# NTSB ERA16CA160: Bell 206, N326AC, Baltimore, MD, April 16, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 16, 2016, 13:05 local (17:05 UTC) - Place: Baltimore, MD - Coordinates: 39.173053, -76.690277 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1731&lon=-76.6903&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-hover: Loss of tail rotor effectiveness](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 1, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93019 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA16CA160 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93019/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93019 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16CA160 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind while hovering out of ground effect, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000/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) - [Planning/preparation: performance calculations](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 114 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: weight/balance calculations](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; cases with it: [Bell 206B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061015/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061015/cases.md) - [Tail rotor](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046400): Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor · Related operating info; cases with it: [Bell 206B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046400/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046400/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-hover: Loss of tail rotor effectiveness](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 100 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 57 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The helicopter began the power line aerial observation flight near its maximum gross weight. As the pilot maneuvered the helicopter into an out-of-ground-effect hover with a 12-knot left crosswind, a nose-right yaw ensued that could not be corrected with a full left pedal application. Despite other remedial actions taken by the pilot, the helicopter descended to ground contact where the occupants egressed, but the helicopter was later destroyed by post-crash fire. The pilot stated there were no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. He said, "It was an aerodynamic issue, not a mechanical issue." FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 90-95, Unanticipated Right Yaw in Helicopters stated, "Any maneuver which requires the pilot to operate in a high-power, low-airspeed environment with a left crosswind or tailwind creates an environment where unanticipated right yaw may occur." ## Factual narrative The helicopter began the power line aerial observation flight near its maximum gross weight. As the pilot maneuvered the helicopter into an out-of-ground-effect hover with a 12-knot left crosswind, a nose-right yaw ensued that could not be corrected with a full left pedal application. Despite other remedial actions taken by the pilot, the helicopter descended to ground contact where the occupants egressed, but the helicopter was later destroyed by post-crash fire. The pilot stated there were no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. He said, "It was an aerodynamic issue, not a mechanical issue."FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 90-95, Unanticipated Right Yaw in Helicopters stated, "Any maneuver which requires the pilot to operate in a high-power, low-airspeed environment with a left crosswind or tailwind creates an environment where unanticipated right yaw may occur." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N326AC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N326AC-2018-03-23), registration cancelled 2018-03-23, S/N 1935, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 206 (B) - Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 400HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-400hp) (registry code 03013, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1935 - Year built: 1976 - Engines: ALLISON 250 SER 400HP 400 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Operator: Sky River Helicopters - Registered owner: Clear View Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: MTN, Baltimore, MD - Destination: MTN, Baltimore, MD - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: BWI, Baltimore Washington Internati ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 3, 2016; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,800 total, 40 in this make and model, 70 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.42 inHg - Observed at: BWI, 1 nm away ## 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 20160416003039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160416003039A), Apr 16, 2016: Bell 206B, Baltimore, MD, Destroyed. Description of accident: On 04/16/16, a Bell 206B(N326AC), operating under part 91,was performing power line observations for Baltimore gas & electric. The… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 5, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93019. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 475 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439789&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 134 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439790&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Pilot Interview Summary (item 3, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439791&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector's Interview Summaries (item 4, .PDF, 93 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439792&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Interview%20Summaries-Master.PDF - Witness Statement (item 5, .PDF, 80 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439793&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 6, .PDF, 127 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439794&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Aircraft Performance (item 7, .PDF, 116 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439795&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Aircraft%20Performance-Master.PDF - Video File (item 8, .PDF, 97 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439796&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Video%20File-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.