# NTSB MIA91LA129: Brantly Helicopter B-2B, N2193U, Winter Haven, FL, April 27, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 27, 1991, 14:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Winter Haven, FL
- Coordinates: 27.980369, -81.779472 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9804&lon=-81.7795&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32856
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91LA129
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32856/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA129

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND IMPROPER USE OF THE COLLECTIVE AND CYCLIC FLIGHT CONTROLS AFTER THE LOSS OF TAIL ROTOR EFFECTIVENESS DURING THE APPROACH TO LAND.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS HIS LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN TYPE AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - cyclic - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - collective - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

WHILE ON FINAL APCH AT 300 FT THE PLT BEGAN TO SLOW THE DESCENT & THE HELICOPTER YAWED TO THE RT. HE APPLIED LT ANTI-TORQUE PEDAL INPUT, HELD COLLECTIVE, APPLIED POWER, & NEUTRALIZED THE CYCLIC CONTROL BUT THE HELICOPTER  BEGAN TO SPIN TO THE RT.  HE INITIATED A HOVER WHILE SPINNING & AFTER OBSERVING A CLEARING, LOWERED COLLECTIVE, & REDUCED POWER.  DURING THE DESCENT THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES COLLIDED WITH TREES.  POST CRASH EXAM OF THE TAIL ROTOR ASSEMBLY REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. THE PLT WAS NOT AUTHORIZED TO CARRY PASSENGERS IN THIS CLASS OF ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2193U (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Brantly Helicopter B-2B
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 404
- Airframe hours: 647
- Engines: LYCOMING IVO-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Daniel Callahan
- Registered owner: Daniel Callahan
- Last inspection: Annual, March 24, 1991, 6 hours before
- Departed: SPG, ST. PETERSBURG, FL
- Airport: GIF, Winter Haven'S Gilbert, runway 29, 4,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 280 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BOW, 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 19910427012889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910427012889A), Apr 27, 1991: Hynes B2B, Winter Haven, FL, Substantial damage. Lost tail rotor effectiveness descending to land. Trying to land hit trees. Had gyroplane rating only.

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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