# NTSB FTW87FA111: Bell 206B, N5754A, Ft. Worth, TX, May 4, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 4, 1987, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Ft. Worth, TX
- Location: 32.7254° N, 97.3208° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fort Worth, TX, within about 11 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7254&lon=-97.3208&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 6, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22244
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87FA111
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22244/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87FA111

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - simulated, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - rotor rpm - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,skid assembly - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE DEMONSTRATING A LOW LEVEL 180 DEGREE AUTOROTATION TO A RATED PILOT, THE CFI UNDERSHOT HIS INTENDED TOUCHDOWN POINT. IN AN ATTEMPT TO REACH HIS SELECTED TOUCHDOWN POINT, THE PILOT ALLOWED THE ROTOR RPM TO DECAY AND THE AIRCRAFT DEVELOPED A HIGH SINK RATE. THE PILOT THEN ATTEMPTED A POWER RECOVERY BUT WAS LATE WITH THE CORRECTIVE ACTION. THE AIRCRAFT RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE WHEN IT CONTACTED THE GROUND AND BOUNCED TWICE BEFORE COMING TO REST ON ITS RIGHT SIDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5754A (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3134
- Airframe hours: 3163
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bell Helicopter Textron
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 23, 1987, 71 hours before
- Airport: Bell Training Strip

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 11,056 total, 6,000 in this make and model, 10,603 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 8 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

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.

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