# NTSB NYC03LA063: Brantly Helicopter B-2B, N2238U, Zelienople, PA, March 8, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 8, 2003, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Zelienople, PA - Coordinates: 40.801387, -80.160552 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8014&lon=-80.1606&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 56595 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC03LA063 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56595/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA063 ## Probable cause The failure of the tail rotor assembly due to improper maintenance by the owner/pilot. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, hover - in ground effect - rotor drive system - failure (cause) - lack of certification, owner/builder - maintenance,annual inspection - not performed, owner/builder (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis While hovering over a taxiway, the tail rotor assembly separated and the helicopter began to spin. The helicopter struck the ground and rolled over. Examination of the helicopter revealed that the separated tail rotor assembly and gearbox had the mounting portion of the top bulkhead ring still attached by the associated attachment bolts. Examination of the helicopter tail boom pylon revealed the top bulkhead ring attachment flange remained riveted in place. Chaffing damage was observed on the left and right side fracture surfaces, consistent with preexisting cracks. In addition, areas of corrosion were observed on the inner surface of the top bulkhead ring. The pilot did not posses a pilot or medical certificate. He reported 60 hours of total flight experience, all accumulated in the accident helicopter. The pilot stated he maintained the helicopter. He did not posses an FAA airframe or power plant certificate. According to maintenance records, the helicopter's most recent annual inspection was performed about 16 months prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On March 8, 2003, about 1130 eastern standard time, a Brantly B-2B helicopter, N2238U, was substantially damaged while hovering at the Zelienople Municipal Airport (8G7), Zelienople, Pennsylvania. The sole occupant, a non-rated pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight that was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The helicopter was owned by the pilot. The pilot had been practicing landings at a private farm, and then flew to 8G7 to refuel. While hovering over a taxiway, the tail rotor assembly separated and the helicopter began to spin. The helicopter struck the ground and rolled over. Examination of the helicopter was performed by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector. The separated tail rotor assembly and gearbox was found to have the mounting portion of the top bulkhead ring still attached by the associated attachment bolts. The top bulkhead ring had separated completely from it's attachment flanges at the bulkhead flange transition radius. Examination of the helicopter tail boom pylon revealed the top bulkhead ring attachment flange remained riveted in place. Chaffing damage was observed on the left and right side fracture surfaces, consistent with preexisting cracks. In addition, areas of corrosion were observed on the inner surface of the top bulkhead ring. The FAA inspector noted that the top bulkhead ring was manufactured with a 1.5-inch diameter "lightening-hole" forward of the tail rotor gearbox attachment point, and approximately centered on its horizontal face. According to a representative of the manufacturer, one reason for the hole was to facilitate access for visual inspection of the interior portions of the vertical section of the tail boom pylon. In addition, utilizing an inspection mirror, the underside and flanges of the top ring bulkhead and the tail rotor gearbox attachment bolts could be inspected. The pilot stated he maintained the helicopter. He did not posses an FAA airframe or powerplant certificate. According to maintenance records, the helicopter's most recent annual inspection was performed on November 2, 2001. The pilot reported that the helicopter had been operated for about 55 hours since the inspection. The pilot did not posses a pilot or medical certificate. He reported 60 hours of total flight experience, all accumulated in the accident helicopter. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2238U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2238U), registered now, S/N 479, built 1968 (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: 479 - Airframe hours: 554 - Engines: Lycoming IVO-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Benjamin Panella Jr. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 2, 2001, 55 hours before - Departed: NONE, New Galilee, PA - Destination: 8G7, Zelienople, PA - Airport: 8G7, Zelienople Muni ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; seat: right; flight hours: 60 total, 60 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: BTP, 11 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 20030308003099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030308003099A), Mar 8, 2003: Hynes B2B, Zelienople, PA, Substantial damage. (-23) The operator (only occupant) of the aircraft was not a certified (licensed) helicopter pilot. He explained that as he hovered above the southern end of… ## Other investigations on N2238U (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 CHI99LA292](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA292), Aug 15, 1999: Brantly Helicopter B-2B (N2238U), Hudson, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: was an inadequate preflight and misjudged flare to landing during the autorotation by the pilot. A factor in this accident was a totally blocked fuel tank vent system. 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.