# NTSB ERA17CA056: Bell OH 58A, N161PD, Ponce, PR, October 25, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 25, 2016, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Ponce, PR - Coordinates: 18.010833, -66.563331 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=18.0108&lon=-66.5633&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 September 7, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94424 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA17CA056 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94424/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94424 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17CA056 ## Probable cause The helicopter flight instructor's inadequate demonstration of a simulated engine failure, which resulted in a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Instructor/check 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) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell OH-58A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=1181579), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: prop/rotor parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell OH-58A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md?model=1181579), [All aircraft, 182 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Simulated/training event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600); cases with it: [Bell OH-58A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600/sequence.md?model=1181579), [All aircraft, 173 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600/sequence.md) - [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 During an instructional flight, the helicopter was about 40 to 50 ft above ground level and at 60 knots when the flight instructor intended to demonstrate a simulated engine failure and run-on landing. Although the flight instructor had intended to recover from the maneuver before an actual run-on landing, he noticed that he did not have enough rotor rpm to recover and chose to continue with the run-on landing. The helicopter then landed hard on a taxiway and slid about 300 ft before coming to rest upright. The flight instructor added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. Examination of the helicopter by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed damage to the aft engine bulkhead and wrinkles in the helicopter panels near the tailboom and rotor gear box. ## Factual narrative During an instructional flight, the helicopter was at an altitude of 40 to 50 ft above ground level, at 60 knots, when the flight instructor intended to demonstrate a simulated engine failure and run-on landing. Although the flight instructor had intended to recover from the maneuver prior to an actual run-on landing, he noticed that he did not have enough rotor rpm to recover and elected to continue with the run-on landing. The helicopter then landed hard on a taxiway and slid about 300 ft before coming to rest upright. The flight instructor added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. Examination of the helicopter by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed damage to the aft engine bulkhead and wrinkles in the helicopter panels near the tail boom and rotor gear box. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N161PD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N161PD-2021-01-09), registration cancelled 2021-01-09, S/N 71-20559 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL OH 58A (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Bell OH-58A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-oh-58a) (registry code 1181579) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 71-20559 - Year built: 1971 - Airframe hours: 6496.8 - Engines: Rolls Royce T63A720 4200 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: None - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 30, 2016 - Departed: PSE, Ponce, PR - Destination: PSE, Ponce, PR - Airport: PSE, Mercedita, runway 12, 6,900 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 21, 2016; seat: left; restraint: none; flight hours: 2,800 total, 30 in this make and model, 2,500 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days - Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 9, 2015; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 866 total, 7.5 in this make and model, 721 as pilot in command, 20.3 in the last 90 days, 15.3 in the last 30 days, 3.2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.82 inHg - Observed at: PSE ## 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 20161025017069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161025017069A), Oct 25, 2016: Bell OH-58A, Ponce, PR, Substantial damage. While conducting flight training, flight instructor stated he was demonstrating a simulated engine failure on takeoff. During acceleration on taxiway e at… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 21, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94424. 1.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455486&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 317 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455487&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Flight Instructor's Statement (item 3, .PDF, 105 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455488&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Flight%20Instructor%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Photo Array (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 2 photos, 196 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455489&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.