# NTSB GAA15CA102: Bell 206 - B11, N206ED, Caledonia, MI, May 29, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 29, 2015, 12:10 local (16:10 UTC) - Place: Caledonia, MI - Coordinates: 42.822498, -85.491386 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8225&lon=-85.4914&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Loss of tail rotor effectiveness](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 27, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Federal Aviation Admnistration - NTSB case key (mKey): 91292 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA102 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91292/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91292 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA102 ## Probable cause A loss of tail rotor effectiveness while maneuvering at low altitude, resulting in a collision with trees. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: prop/rotor parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 182 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Bell 206B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Bell 206B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Loss of tail rotor effectiveness](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 100 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 57 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot and passenger were conducting an aerial observation flight at low altitude to inspect power lines. The pilot stated he maneuvered to do a right turn and encountered a gust of wind. The pilot lost tail rotor effectiveness and attempted to recover control of the helicopter. Before the pilot could regain full control, the helicopter descended into the tree tops and came to rest in a tree. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail boom. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot and passenger were conducting an aerial observation flight at low altitude to inspect power lines. The pilot stated he maneuvered to do a right turn and encountered a gust of wind. The pilot lost tail rotor effectiveness and attempted to recover control of the helicopter. Before the pilot could regain full control, the helicopter descended into the tree tops and came to rest in a tree. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail boom. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N206ED](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N206ED-2018-02-27), registration cancelled 2018-02-27, S/N 1958, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 206 - B11 (B) - Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison 250-C20 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (registry code 03020, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1958 - Year built: 1976 - Airframe hours: 9618.5 - Engines: Rolls Royce C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Operator: Hawkeye Helicopter - Registered owner: Hawkeye Helicopter - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 11, 2014 - Departed: KJXN, Jackson, MI - Destination: KGRR, Grand Rapids, MI - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 12, 2013; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,454 total, 425 in this make and model, 1,407 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 36 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 14 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 23,000 ft broken - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: KGRR, 4 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 20150529008179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150529008179A), May 29, 2015: Bell 206B, Grand Rapids, MI, Substantial damage. On may 29, 2015, approximately 11:34 eastern daylight time (EDT), a Bell 206B, single-engine helicopter, N206ED, sustained substantial damage when it impact… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 8, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91292. 3.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428886&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 – View of Tail Boom (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428887&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20Tail%20Boom%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.