# NTSB NYC05CA047: Bell 206B, N59MB, Lancaster, PA, February 1, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: February 1, 2005, 14:26 local (19:26 UTC)
- Place: Lancaster, PA
- Coordinates: 40.125, -76.300003
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1250&lon=-76.3000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 28, 2005
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 60947
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC05CA047
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60947/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC05CA047

## Probable cause

The pilot's loss of lateral control while attempting to transition to a hover from the ground.  A factor was the bright sunlight conditions.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - other

## Analysis

As the pilot increased collective to transition to a hover, the helicopter immediately rolled over onto its right side.  The pilot added that the helicopter was positioned into the direct sunlight, and he experienced "dazzling sunlight" being reflected from surrounding snow banks.  The pilot did not report any mechanical difficulties with the helicopter.

## Factual narrative

On February 1, 2005, at 1426 eastern standard time, a Bell 206B, N59MB, was substantially damaged while attempting to transition to a hover from the ground at the Lancaster Airport, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  The certificated private pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to the pilot, as he was raising the collective to hover the helicopter, it immediately rolled over onto its right side.  The pilot added that the helicopter was positioned into the direct sunlight, and he experienced "dazzling sunlight" being reflected from surrounding snow banks.

The pilot did not report any mechanical difficulties with the helicopter.

Inspection of the helicopter revealed that the main rotor blades and the tail rotor assembly sustained substantial damage.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N59MB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N59MB-2013-03-21), registration cancelled 2013-03-21, S/N 847, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Bell 206B
- 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: 847
- Airframe hours: 10278
- Engines: Rolls-Royce 250C-20R turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Leslie Alan Jones
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 12, 2004, 10 hours before
- Departed: LNS, Lancaster, PA
- Airport: LNS, Lancaster Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,745 total, 50 in this make and model, 27 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 3 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 20050201001319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050201001319A), Feb 1, 2005: Bell 206B, Lancaster, PA, Destroyed. (-23) Pilot was lifting aircraft into a hover from a very shallow slope, a brilliant sun was shining and there was snow on the ground, which created…

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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