# NTSB MIA05CA160: Bell 206B3, N39MK, Titusville, FL, September 23, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 23, 2005, 09:15 local (13:15 UTC)
- Place: Titusville, FL
- Coordinates: 28.514722, -80.799163
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.5147&lon=-80.7992&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Orlando FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 62548
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA05CA160
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62548/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA05CA160

## Probable cause

The flight instructor's improper flare resulting in a hard landing and main rotor contact with tail boom.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - simulated, pilot in command(cfi)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - misc rotorcraft,tail boom - cut/severed

## Analysis

The instructor stated that while performing autorotation with a student, he began with an entry of 600 feet in a steady state autorotation. The deceleration was normal and upon termination of the maneuver. He felt a small vibration and saw a piece of metal fly over and to the front of the helicopter. He immediately closed the throttle and shut down the helicopter. He exited and saw the tail section had been damaged.

## Factual narrative

This report is based on information received by the NTSB. Additional details may be found in the NTSB's public docket for this case. For further information, please contact the NTSB Office of Public Inquiries.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N39MK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N39MK), registered now, S/N 2984, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B3
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250-C20B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20b) (registry code 03081, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2984
- Airframe hours: 13706
- Engines: Rolls-Royce 250C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Helicopter Adventures Inc., doing business as Helicopter Adventures Inc.
- Registered owner: Klokkenga Helicopter Leasing LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2005, 33 hours before
- Departed: TIX, Titusville, FL
- Destination: TIX, Titusville, FL
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Flight instructor; age 42; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 6,171 total, 1,300 in this make and model, 3,811 as pilot in command, 84 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours
- Student pilot; age 27; injuries: none; seat: right; flight hours: 85 total, 4 in this make and model, 85 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observed at: KTIX, 7 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 20050923024399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050923024399A), Sep 23, 2005: Bell 206B, Titusville, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) See attached statements from personnel onboard. Planned maneuver was a 180-degree autorotation to a hover with planned touchdown from hover. Crew had…

## Other investigations on N39MK (1)

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 ERA22LA330](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA330), Jul 21, 2022: Bell 206B (N39MK), Kenton, OH, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inadequate fuel management, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a loss of engine power.

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.

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