# NTSB FTW89LA174: Bell 206BII, N995KP, Grand Prairie, TX, September 27, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 27, 1989, 11:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Grand Prairie, TX
- Coordinates: 32.729358, -96.99913 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7294&lon=-96.9991&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22922
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89LA174
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22922/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89LA174

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DECISION TO EXECUTE AN ABRUPT MANEUVER WHILE HOVERING DOWNWIND, WHICH LED TO A REDUCTION IN ROTOR RPM AND SUBSEQUENT HARD LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, hover
  - rotor system - underspeed (cause)
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - turboshaft engine,free turbine governor - movement restricted (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - poor, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - inadequate quality control, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,pc line - dirty(foggy)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - poor, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - misc rotorcraft,tail boom - separation

## Analysis

THE PILOT HOVER TAXIED THE HELICOPTER OFF THE RUNWAY WITH A 10 TO 18 KNOT GUSTY TAILWIND OVER A FRESHLY MOWED GRASSY AREA. HE RAPIDLY APPLIED COLLECTIVE PITCH AND UNDERSPED THE MAIN ROTOR SYSTEM. THE GOVERNOR CONTROL ARM MOVEMENT BECAME RESTRICTED DUE TO POOR SERVICING AND QUALITY CONTROL BY COMPANY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL. MAIN ROTOR RPM COULD NOT BE REGAINED AND THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED. THE PILOT OVER FLARED THE HELICOPTER CAUSING THE TAIL ROTOR TO STRIKE THE GROUND AND MAIN ROTOR BLADE FLEXED DOWNWARD AND SEVERED THE TAILBOOM. A HARD LANDING RESULTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N995KP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N995KP-1992-03-18), registration cancelled 1992-03-18, S/N 2201 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206BII
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2201
- Airframe hours: 5737
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Texas Helijet
- Registered owner: Texas Helijet Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 7, 1989
- Departed: FTW, FORT WORTH, TX
- Airport: F67, Grand Prairie, runway 35, 3,000 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 14,000 total, 8,000 in this make and model, 14,000 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 10 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RBD, 9 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 19890927037469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890927037469A), Sep 27, 1989: Bell 206B, Grand Prairie, TX, Substantial damage. Hovering downwind, got low RPM light, performed quick stop to land. Rotor hit tailboom. Dual given.

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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