# NTSB FTW95LA007: Brantly Helicopter B-2, N5996X, Houston, TX, October 1, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 1, 1994, 18:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Houston, TX
- Location: 29.7633° N, 95.3633° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Houston, TX, within about 14 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7633&lon=-95.3633&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 4, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19277
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA007
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19277/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA007

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation
- Roll over, landing - roll

## Analysis

DURING CRUISE FLIGHT THE HELICOPTER EXPERIENCED A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOLLOWED BY SURGES. THE PILOT ELECTED TO PERFORM A PRECAUTIONARY AUTOROTATION LANDING. DURING THE GROUND RUN THE AIRCRAFT LANDING SKID BECAME ENTANGLED IN THE VEGETATION, CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO TURN RIGHT AND ROLL OVER ON ITS LEFT SIDE. THE REASON FOR THE PARTIAL POWER LOSS AND SURGES WAS NOT DETERMINED.

## Factual narrative

On October 1, 1994, at 1845 central daylight time, a Brantly B-2, N5996X, was substantially damaged during a precautionary landing near Houston, Texas.  The helicopter was flown by an airline transport rated pilot for a local personal flight.  No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The pilot and one passenger were uninjured.

During an interview, conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the pilot reported that the helicopter was in cruise flight when the "engine had a loss of power and surged."  He further reported that he "initiated a precautionary autorotation procedure."  The power on autorotation was reported to be uneventful until the "skids became tangled in bean vines," during the ground run, and the helicopter turned "90 degrees" and "gently rolled over."

An examination of the engine by the operator and a Federal Aviation inspector failed to reveal the reason for the erratic engine power.

The helicopter sustained damage to the skids, airframe, and main rotor blades.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5996X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5996X), registered now, S/N 141, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Brantly Helicopter B-2
- Registry model: [Brantly B-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/brantly-b-2) (registry code 1440502) (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: 141
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A1B 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Turcotte, Joseph R.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1994, 20 hours before
- Departed: SGR, SUGARLAND, TX
- Destination: SGR, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 8,000 total, 200 in this make and model, 7,800 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: IAH, 25 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 19941001032349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941001032349A), Oct 1, 1994: Hynes B2, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. Engine surge and power loss. Elected autorotation. Skid caught in vegetation roll on landing. Rolled. Engine normal

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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