# NTSB MIA90LA150: Brantly Helicopter B-2B, N2284U, Christiansted, July 10, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 10, 1990, 09:50 local (13:50 UTC)
- Place: Christiansted
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32677
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA90LA150
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32677/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90LA150

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO EVALUATE WEIGHT, TEMPERATURE, AND POWER AVAILABLE PRIOR TO TAKEOFF AND THEN PERFORMING A LEFT PEDAL TURN AFTER TAKEOFF RESULTING IN THE HELICOPTER DESENDING EVEN THOUGH FULL POWER WAS APPLIED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft performance,helicopter hover performance - exceeded (cause)
  - tail rotor/anti-torque control - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Roll over, other

## Analysis

HELICOPTER WAS AT NEAR GROSS WEIGHT AND PILOT ESTIMATED TEMPERATURE AT HELIPAD TO BE 90 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. AS HELICOPTER LIFTED OFF HE PERFORMED LEFT PEDAL TURN WHICH REQUIRES ADDITIONAL ENGINE POWER. HELICOPTER DESENDED DOWN HILL AWAY FROM HELIPAD AND ALTITUDE COULD NOT BE MAINTAINED WITH FULL ENGINE POWER. LEFT SKID CONTACTED TREE STUMP AND HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2284U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2284U), registered now, S/N 454 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Brantly Helicopter B-2B
- Registry model: [Brantly B-2B](https://openairdocs.org/model/brantly-b-2b) (registry code 1440506) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 454
- Airframe hours: 1830
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Elliott, Randy K.
- Registered owner: Randy K Elliott
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 18, 1989, 10 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 950 total, 8 in this make and model, 892 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: STX, 8 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 19900710024769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900710024769A), Jul 10, 1990: Hynes B2B, Christiansted, Puerto Rico, Substantial damage. Lifted from pad. Made pedal turn to depart downhill. Settled. Skid hit tree stump rolling helicopter over.

## Other investigations on N2284U (3)

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 CEN18FA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA001), Oct 1, 2017: Brantly B 2B (N2284U), Midland, MI, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness, and his failure to promptly initiate the proper recovery technique, which resulted in…
- [NTSB CHI78FA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI78FA066), Sep 11, 1978: Brantley B-2B (N2284U), Brook, IN, destroyed, 1 fatal
- [NTSB MKC66A0049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC66A0049), Mar 8, 1966: Brantly B-2B (N2284U), Axtell, NE, substantial damage

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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