# NTSB ERA16LA104: Bell 206, N206R, Linden, NJ, February 6, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 6, 2016, 12:39 local (17:39 UTC) - Place: Linden, NJ - Coordinates: 40.617221, -74.24472 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6172&lon=-74.2447&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: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 16, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 92700 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA16LA104 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92700/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92700 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA104 ## Probable cause The pilot receiving instruction's failure to maintain helicopter control during the initial takeoff, which resulted in a dynamic rollover. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's inadequate remedial action due to his distraction by looking outside the helicopter to ensure that the area was clear. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed 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: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: attention](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510): Personnel issues › Psychological · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 226 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [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 The flight instructor reported that the purpose of the flight was to provide the private pilot, who was also the owner of the helicopter and was helicopter-rated, transition training in the helicopter. He stated that they performed a preflight inspection, flight control check, and hydraulic check with no anomalies noted. The pilot receiving instruction was at the controls of the helicopter during the initial takeoff from a dolly to a hover. The flight instructor stated that, when the helicopter became "light on the skids," it started to roll left. The helicopter continued to roll left, impacted the ground on the left side of the dolly, bounced, and then came to rest on the right side of the dolly. The flight instructor reported that he was looking to the left during the initial takeoff to verify that the area was clear and that he had never had anything happen that quickly while instructing. Examination of the helicopter revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. A postaccident examination of the dolly revealed that there were no scrapes or score marks on the diamond steel platform on the dolly; therefore, it is unlikely that the helicopter got caught on the dolly. It is likely that, during the takeoff, the pilot unintentionally applied excessive left cyclic, which resulted in the helicopter experiencing a dynamic rollover. In addition, because the flight instructor was distracted by looking outside the helicopter to ensure that the area was clear, he did not provide any corrective actions to prevent the rollover. ## Factual narrative On February 6, 2016, at 1239 eastern standard time, a Bell 206B, N206R, was substantially damaged after it rolled over during takeoff from a parking dolly at Linden Airport (LDJ), Linden, New Jersey. The private pilot was seriously injured and the flight instructor was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight, which was originating at the time of the accident. The helicopter was owned and operated by the private pilot. The instructional flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.According to the flight instructor, the purpose of the flight was to give the private pilot transition training in the helicopter. They performed a preflight inspection, flight control check, and hydraulic check prior to lift off with no anomalies noted. The pilot receiving instruction was at the controls of the helicopter during the initial takeoff to a hover, then, when the helicopter became "light on the skids," it started to roll to the left. The helicopter continued to roll to the left, impacted the ground, and came to rest on the right side. During the initial takeoff, since the helicopter was about to move to the left, the flight instructor was looking to the left in order to verify the area was clear of obstructions. In addition, he stated that he'd "never felt anything that quick." A security video recording was obtained from the airport that captured the accident sequence. In the video, the helicopter was started up on the dolly, then the helicopter began to rotate to the right on the dolly, and then it immediately rolled to the left. The helicopter impacted the ground on the left side, bounced, and then came to rest on the right side. According to the Federal Aviation Administration records, the helicopter was purchased by the pilot receiving instruction on January 5, 2016. According to the helicopter's maintenance records, the most recent annual inspection was performed on July 1, 2015. In addition, a 3,000-hour maintenance inspection was performed on the helicopter on December 21, 2015. According to the pilot/owner, he held a private pilot certificate with a rating for helicopters. In addition, his most recent third-class medial was issued on January 4, 2016. Furthermore, he reported 625 hours of total helicopter flight time, of which, 5 hours were in the same make and model as the accident helicopter. According to the flight instructor, he held an airline transport pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land, airplane multiengine land, and rotorcraft-helicopter. He held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine sea and a private pilot certificate with a rating for gliders. In addition, he held a flight instructor certificate with ratings for airplane single and multiengine, rotorcraft-helicopter, and instrument airplane and helicopter. His most recent second-class medical certificate was issued onJuly 22, 2015. In addition, he reported 25,000 hours of total flight time, of which, 2,760 hours were in the same make and model as the accident helicopter, and 1,020 hours were as an instructor in the same make and model as the accident helicopter. A postaccident examination of the dolly revealed that there were no scrapes or score marks on the diamond steel platform on the dolly. An examination of the helicopter revealed that the fuselage, main rotor blades, tail rotor blades, and tailboom were substantially damaged during the accident sequence. Furthermore, there were no anomalies with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation prior to the accident. In addition, the pilot/owner had a mechanic examine the helicopter and there were no preexisting malfunctions or anomalies noted with the helicopter. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N206R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N206R-2018-05-31), registration cancelled 2018-05-31, S/N 4421, built 1996 (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-C20 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (registry code 03020, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 4421 - Year built: 1996 - Airframe hours: 3010 - Engines: ALLISON 250-C20J 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Donald J. Banks - Registered owner: Helidon Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, December 21, 2015, 11 hours before - Departed: LDJ, Linden, NJ - Destination: LDJ, Linden, NJ - Airport: LDJ, Linden - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: serious; private; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 8, 2015; seat: right; flight hours: 5 in this make and model - Flight instructor; age 69; injuries: none; airline transport, flight engineer, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 24, 2014; seat: left; flight hours: 12,000 total, 2,760 in this make and model, 7,450 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.38 inHg - Observed at: LDJ ## 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 20160206002389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160206002389A), Feb 6, 2016: Bell 206B, Linden, NJ, Destroyed. ^Mr. Cosenza^ was giving flight instruction and transition training from a R44 helicopter to the 206 helicopter. The owner ^(Mr. Banks)^ had just purchased 1… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 11, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92700. 6.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439977&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Video of Accident (Courtesy of Airport) (item 2, .PDF, 86 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439978&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Video%20of%20Accident%20(Courtesy%20of%20Airport)-Master.PDF - CFI Interview Summary (item 3, .PDF, 123 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439979&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=CFI%20Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - CFI (item 4, .PDF, 54 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439980&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20CFI-Master.PDF - Memorandum of Record - Pilot/Owner (item 5, .PDF, 114 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439981&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20-%20Pilot%2FOwner-Master.PDF - Memorandum of Record - FAA Inspector Statement (item 6, .PDF, 107 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439982&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20-%20FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 7, .PDF, 123 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439983&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 8, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439984&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-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.