# NTSB FTW90LA083: Bell 206B, N5016F, Pearland, TX, March 19, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 19, 1990, 10:35 local (16:35 UTC)
- Place: Pearland, TX
- Location: 29.5636° N, 95.2860° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Pearland, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5636&lon=-95.2860&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23116
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA083
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23116/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA083

## Probable cause

DYNAMIC ROLLOVER RESULTANT FROM IMPROPER TAKEOFF TECHNIQUES USED BY THE RATED PILOT, AND INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE COMPANY CHECK PILOT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - vertical takeoff - improper, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, check pilot (cause)
  - diverted attention, check pilot
- Roll over, takeoff

## Analysis

DURING A COMPANY EVALUATION FLIGHT, THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT DIRECTED THE RATED STUDENT PILOT TO TAKE OFF FROM A SLOPING AREA TO A HOVER. THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT WAS TUNING THE RADIOS AND DID NOT MONITOR THE ACTIONS OF THE RATED STUDENT PILOT. THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO DRIFT RIGHT AND AFT, AND THE RIGHT SKID CONTACTED THE TERRAIN. THIS RESULTED IN A DYNAMIC ROLLOVER TO THE RIGHT AND SUBSEQUENT MAIN ROTOR BLADE CONTACT WITH THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5016F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5016F-2014-10-14), registration cancelled 2014-10-14, S/N 2620, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 250HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-250hp) (registry code 03002, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2620
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Houston Helicopter, Inc
- Registered owner: Notlef Inc.
- Departed: TX10
- Airport: TX10, Skyway Manor

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 16,671 total, 5,056 in this make and model, 16,212 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 41 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: HOU, 10 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 19900319004809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900319004809A), Mar 19, 1990: Bell 206B, Pearland, TX, Substantial damage. Lifted to two feet hover off uneven ground. Allowed skid to hit ground causing dynamic rollover.

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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