# NTSB MIA03TA152: Bell BHT-206-B3, N876M, Fort Myers, FL, July 30, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report - Date: July 30, 2003, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Fort Myers, FL - Coordinates: 26.629753, -81.849212 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.6298&lon=-81.8492&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 30, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57628 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA03TA152 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57628/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA03TA152 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to adequately clear the right skid of obstructions which resulted in a dynamic rollover to the right during takeoff and damage to the helicopter. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Roll over, takeoff - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - lift-off - attempted, pilot in command - landing gear,skid assembly - obstructed - dynamic rollover - inadvertent, pilot in command ## Analysis The pilot stated that he had landed in a marshy area to allow a mosquito control inspector to perform an inspection of the area over which they were going to conduct an aerial application flight the afternoon. As he landed, he said he noted that the landing surface was flat with 6-inch grass, 1-inch standing water, and mud. He said he inspected the right skid from the cockpit, while the inspector departed the helicopter to inspect the mangrove, and saw a branch or root extending 6 inches above the grass, 4 inches outboard of the right skid near the aft cross tube saddle. He said the inspector returned and reported no obstructions to the left skid, and before the takeoff check was complete, he ascended, establishing a 2-foot stable hover in a level attitude. He said he checked the torque, and began to increase collective for climbout, but the helicopter did not climb. He looked over his right shoulder to check for an obstruction, and at that time detected that a roll was developing to the right. He said he tried to reduce the collective, but it was not enough. The roll continued and the helicopter came to rest on its right side. Prior to the accident, the pilot said there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions to the helicopter or any of its systems. ## Factual narrative On July 30, 2003, about 1000 eastern daylight time, a Bell 206-B3, N876M, registered to and operated by Lee County Mosquito Control District, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 public-use flight, impacted a tree stump and rolled over in Lee County, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The commercial-rated pilot and one passenger were not injured, and the helicopter incurred substantial damage. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that he had landed in a marshy area to disembark a mosquito control inspector, and allow her to conduct an inspection of the area over which they were going to conduct an aerial application flight that afternoon. He stated that as he landed, he noted that the landing surface was flat with 6-inch grass, 1-inch standing water, and mud. He said he inspected the right skid from the cockpit, while the inspector departed the helicopter to inspect the mangrove, and he noted a branch or root extending 6 inches above the grass, 4 inches outboard of the right skid near the aft cross tube saddle. He said the branch was about 2 inches in diameter and rotted, and he made a mental note not to allow any right drift during takeoff. The pilot further stated that the inspector returned after having finished her inspection of the mangrove, and she reported no obstructions to the left skid. The pilot said that before the takeoff check was complete, he ascended, establishing a 2-foot stable hover in a level attitude, checked the torque, and began to increase collective for climbout. He said he noticed that the helicopter did not climb, but added that there was no roll. He said he looked over his right shoulder to check for and obstruction, and at that time he detected that a roll was developing to the right. He said he reduced collective, but it was not enough, and the roll continued in spite left cyclic being applied. The helicopter came to rest on its right side. Prior to the accident, the pilot said there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions to the helicopter or any of its systems. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N876M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N876M-2004-09-03), registration cancelled 2004-09-03, S/N 4528, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell BHT-206-B3 - 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: 4528 - Airframe hours: 1027.6 - Engines: Allison 250-C205 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Public aircraft, Public use - Registered owner: Lee County Mosquito Control District - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 26, 2003, 1,001.1 hours before - Departed: FL59, Lehigh Acres, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; injuries: none; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review March 6, 2002; seat: right; flight hours: 2,140 total, 340 in this make and model, 1,300 as pilot in command, 131 in the last 90 days, 58 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 77 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: FMY ## 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 20030730022509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030730022509A), Jul 30, 2003: Bell 206B, Ft Myers, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) On July 30, 2003, at 0945 hrs. EDT, a Bell helicopter (BHT-206) N876MC, registered to lee county mosquito control, collided with the ground during… 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.