# NTSB FTW95LA029: Brantly Helicopter B-2B, N2166U, Tomball, TX, October 24, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 24, 1994, 15:07 local (20:07 UTC) - Place: Tomball, TX - Coordinates: 30.089775, -95.609657 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0898&lon=-95.6097&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 18, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19292 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA029 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19292/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA029 ## Probable cause A PARTIAL POWER LOSS FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - Hard landing, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis DURING TAKEOFF CLIMB THE PILOT SENSED POOR CLIMB PERFORMANCE AND REALIZED HE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO CLEAR POWER LINES. THEREFORE, HE PERFORMED A FORCED LANDING ON THE EDGE OF A PARKING AREA AFTER CLEARING A BUILDING, 'RESULTING IN A HARD LANDING AND SKID TUBE FAILURE.' THE CAUSE FOR THE POOR CLIMB PERFORMANCE WAS NOT DETERMINED. ## Factual narrative On October 24, 1994, at 1507 central daylight time, a Brantley B- 2B helicopter, N2166U, was substantially damaged during landing near Tomball, Texas. The aircraft, flown by an airline transport rated pilot, had just departed on what was to have been a local personal flight. There was no flight plan filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The solo pilot sustained no injuries. According to a statement by the pilot, he was taking off and the aircraft seemed to "lose lift" and he elected to land. After clearing a building, the pilot set the aircraft down on the edge of a parking area, "resulting in a hard landing and skid tube failure." The helicopter subsequently rolled over. There was no evidence of any mechanical problem related to the poor climb performance of the helicopter. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2166U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2166U-2014-09-16), registration cancelled 2014-09-16, S/N 328, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Brantly Helicopter B-2B - Registry model: [Brantly B-2B](https://openairdocs.org/model/brantly-b-2b) (registry code 1440506) (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: 328 - Airframe hours: 1077 - Engines: LYCOMING IVO-360-AIA 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Hallett, Jackson B - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 8,000 total, 200 in this make and model, 4,500 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 8 knots - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: DWH ## 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 19941024035629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941024035629A), Oct 24, 1994: Hynes B2B, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. Appeared loose lift on climbout. Flared late. Landed hard. Collapsed skid. Rolled over. Possible settling with power ## Other investigations on N2166U (2) 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. - [NTSB MIA01FA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA01FA075), Feb 11, 2001: Brantly B-2B (N2166U), Archer, FL, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The flight crew's loss of control for undermined reasons. - [NTSB NYC67A0131](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC67A0131), Mar 24, 1967: Brantly B-2B (N2166U), Enfield, NY, substantial damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.