# NTSB GAA16CA071: Bell 206, N1060C, Christmas Island, Kiribati, October 20, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 20, 2015, 19:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Christmas Island, Kiribati - Coordinates: -2, -157 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=-2.0000&lon=-157.0000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 8, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 92418 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA071 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92418/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92418 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA071 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and the maintenance crew's failure to remove the tie down. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Maintenance personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md) ## Analysis The helicopter was operating from the deck of a fishing vessel. When the helicopter is not in use, it is secured to the deck by four straps secured to the skids of the helicopter. The pilot of the helicopter reported that he entered the helicopter for takeoff while the mechanic removed the tie downs from the helicopter. The pilot reported that when he tried to takeoff, one of the tie downs was still attached to the helicopter and the helicopter rolled to the right and impacted the helipad. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor, mast, and tail boom. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The helicopter was operating from the deck of a fishing vessel. When the helicopter is not in use, it is secured to the deck by four straps secured to the skids of the helicopter. The pilot of the helicopter reported that he entered the helicopter for takeoff while the mechanic removed the tie downs from the helicopter. The pilot reported that when he tried to takeoff, one of the tie downs was still attached to the helicopter and the helicopter rolled to the right and impacted the helipad. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor, mast, and tail boom. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1060C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1060C-2018-12-13), registration cancelled 2018-12-13, S/N 1090, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 206 (B) - Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison 250-C20](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20) (registry code 03080, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1090 - Year built: 1971 - Airframe hours: 19064 - Engines: Rolls-Royce 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: Silla Co., doing business as Deep Sea Fishery - Registered owner: Ocean Care Co. Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Condition, October 21, 2015 - Departed: Christmas Island, POKR - Destination: Christmas Island, POKR - Flight plan: VFR - Equipment: Satellite tracking device, Handheld GPS, Data recorder ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 8, 2015; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 9,649 total, 288 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 10 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 20, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92418. 4.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435754&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (Courtesy of Operator) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 220 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435755&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20Operator)-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.