# NTSB FTW97LA361: Bell 206-L4, N9264G, Hurst, TX, September 23, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 23, 1997, 10:10 local (15:10 UTC) - Place: Hurst, TX - Coordinates: 32.829524, -97.17028 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8295&lon=-97.1703&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 6, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20356 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA361 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20356/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA361 ## Probable cause The improper touchdown by the commercial pilot receiving instruction. A factor was the flight instructor's inadequate supervision. ## 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, dual student - touchdown - improper, dual student (cause) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor) - misc rotorcraft,tail boom - buckled ## Analysis While the commercial pilot was terminating a practice straight-in autorotation, he initiated a flare and applied initial collective pitch to slow the helicopter's rate-of-closure. The aircraft touched down 'firm' with a 'slight nose high attitude,' and then a strong short shudder was felt as the aircraft slid to a stop within one helicopter length. The main rotor RPM was between 65 to 70 percent. The flight instructor examined the tailboom for damage before continuing with the the training flight. After completion of the planned maneuvers, the helicopter was flown to the Bell Helicopter Plant 8 Heliport and shut down. During a postflight inspection, wrinkles were found on the sides of the tail boom. The winds were reported from 180 degrees at 10 knots, and the density altitude was calculated at 2,401 feet. ## Factual narrative On September 23, 1997, at 1010 central daylight time, a Bell 206-L4 helicopter, N9264G, registered to Textron Financial Corporation and operated by Bell Helicopter Textron, was substantially damaged during landing to the south at the BHT2 Training Strip, Hurst, Texas. The airline transport rated flight instructor and the commercial pilot receiving instruction, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company flight plan was filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. The flight originated from the Bell Helicopter Plant 8 Heliport, about 10 minutes before the accident. According to the flight instructor, the student was performing straight-in autorotations to the south. While the student was terminating a straight-in autorotation, he initiated a flare and applied initial collective pitch to slow the helicopter's rate-of-closure. The aircraft touched down "firm" with a "slight nose high attitude," and then a strong short shudder was felt as the aircraft slid to a stop within one helicopter length. The main rotor RPM was between 65 to 70 percent. The flight instructor added that after the landing, he examined the tailboom for damage. No damage was found and the training flight was continued. The flight instructor stated that "we were at the end of the period and left the practice area for the hill top [Bell Helicopter Plant 8 Heliport], did 4 slope operations and then parked the helicopter." During the post flight inspection of the helicopter, wrinkles were found on the sides of the tailboom. The winds were reported from 180 degrees at 10 knots, and the density altitude was calculated at 2,401 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: N9264G (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Bell 206-L4 - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 52081 - Airframe hours: 1187 - Engines: Allison 250-C30 650 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. - Registered owner: Textron Financial Corporation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 7, 1997, 53 hours before - Departed: 2F2 - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: 2F2, Bht2 Training Strip, runway 18, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 10,000 total, 3,500 in this make and model, 9,000 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F ## 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 19970923028229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970923028229A), Sep 23, 1997: Bell 206L4, Hurst, TX, Substantial damage. During autorotaions to rwy 18. Land firm nose high. Felt shudder. Continued. After dual found wrinkles on tailboom. (-23) the commercial rated pilot was… 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.