# NTSB FTW84LA381: Brantly Helicopter B-2B, N2161U, Alvin, TX, September 8, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 8, 1984, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Alvin, TX
- Coordinates: 29.430873, -95.240692 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.4309&lon=-95.2407&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21456
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA381
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21456/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA381

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - run on landing - performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER EXPERIENCED AN UNEXPLAINED POWER LOSS. AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS ATTEMPTED BUT THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH A DITCH. LACKING SUFFICIENT ROTOR RPM FOR EFECTIVE CONTROL THE HELICOPTER NOSED OVER. THE PLT WAS MAILED AN NTSB 6120.1 FORM TO COMPLETE & RETURN. THE REPORT WAS NOT RETURNED TO THE NTSB. ADDITIONAL ATTEMPTS TO OBTAIN THE FORM OR ADDITIONAL INFO WERE UNSUCCESSFUL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2161U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2161U-2014-09-16), registration cancelled 2014-09-16, S/N 322, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Brantly Helicopter B-2B
- Registry model: [Brantly B-2B](https://openairdocs.org/model/brantly-b-2b) (registry code 1440506) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 322
- Engines: UNKNOWN UNKNOWN reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Scott Martin
- Departed: KATY, TX
- Airport: 6R5, Alvin Airpark

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; medical: unknown, unknown

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HOU, 18 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 19840908047559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840908047559A), Sep 8, 1984: Hynes B2B, Alvin, TX, Destroyed. Engine quit on landing approach. Pilot allowed rotor RPM decay and crash landed short of runway flipped over.

## Other investigations on N2161U (3)

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 MKC73DCD12](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC73DCD12), Aug 6, 1972: Brantly B-2B (N2161U), Marshalltown, IA, destroyed
- [NTSB MKC72FCD05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC72FCD05), Jul 9, 1971: Brantly B2B (N2161U), Spencer, IA, substantial damage
- [NTSB UNK64X1811](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X1811), May 17, 1964: Brantly B2B (N2161U), Port Jefferson, NY, substantial damage

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.