# NTSB FTW94LA291: Bell 206-L4, N2064J, Hurst, TX, September 2, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 1, 1994, 22:10 local (Sep 2, 1994, 03:10 UTC)
- Place: Hurst, TX
- Coordinates: 32.830909, -97.170387 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8309&lon=-97.1704&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 27, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19156
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA291
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19156/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA291

## Probable cause

THE CERTIFICATED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER LANDING ALIGNMENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command(cfi)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, dual student (contributing factor)
  - touchdown - improper, dual student
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - misc rotorcraft,tail boom - buckled

## Analysis

DURING RECURRENT TRAINING, NIGHT AUTOROTATIONS WERE BEING CONDUCTED. THE COMMERCIAL PILOT UNDER INSTRUCTION WAS HAVING DIFFICULTIES KEEPING THE HELICOPTER ALIGNED WITH THE RUNWAY PRIOR TO TOUCH DOWN.  HE HAD COMPLETED 3 AUTOROTATIONS WITH A 180 DEGREE TURN. ON THE FOURTH AUTOROTATION, THE HELICOPTER WAS NOT ALIGNED. WHILE THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE HELICOPTER'S ALIGNMENT, IT TOUCHED DOWN HARD WITH THE NOSE LEFT OF CENTERLINE. THE TAILBOOM FLEXED, RESULTING IN WRINKLES TO THE TAILBOOM SKIN.

## Factual narrative

On September 1, 1994, at 2210 central daylight time, a Bell 206- L4 helicopter, N2064J, was substantially damaged during landing near Hurst, Texas.  The certificated flight instructor and commercial pilot receiving instruction were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the dark night instructional flight.

In the instructor's pilot/operator report, he stated the pilot was having difficulties keeping the helicopter aligned with the runway prior to touch down.  The student had completed 3 autorotations with a 180 degree turn.  On the fourth autorotation, the helicopter was not aligned.  While the instructor pilot attempted to correct the helicopter's alignment, it touched down with the nose left of centerline.  The tailboom flexed, resulting in wrinkles in the tailboom skin.

According to the pilot, the helicopter touched down hard in a level attitude with the nose to the left.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2064J (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206-L4
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 52028
- Airframe hours: 509
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C30P 490 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bell Helicopter Textron
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special); Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 25, 1994, 17 hours before
- Departed: 2F2
- Destination: 2F2, TX
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: 2F2, Bht2 Training Strip, runway 36, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 8,000 total, 150 in this make and model, 7,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: variable at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

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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