# NTSB NYC96LA127: Brantly Helicopter B-2, N5981X, Fulton, NY, June 12, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 12, 1996, 14:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Fulton, NY - Coordinates: 43.309749, -76.410507 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3097&lon=-76.4105&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 20, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39196 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC96LA127 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39196/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC96LA127 ## Probable cause the student pilot's improper flare and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare - improper, dual student (cause) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - Gear collapsed, landing - landing gear,skid assembly - overload - Roll over, landing ## Analysis The instructor and student reported that the landing followed 45 minutes of training manuevers. After landing the engine was shut down. They checked for tightness of nuts on the intake manifold, which were tightened before the flight due to looseness. After verifying the tightness, they decided to check the manifold pressure by running the engine to 26 inches of manifold pressure. According to the pilot, the helicopter became light on the skids but did not break ground. The helicopter was set down and shortly afterward rolled over. Examination of the accident site revealed 50 feet of skid marks leading to the helicopter. Inspection of the helicopter disclosed that the left skid had collapsed. ## Factual narrative On June 12, 1996, about 1415 eastern daylight time, a Brantly B-2 helicopter was substantially damaged at Oswego County Airport, Fulton, New York. The certificated flight instructor(CFI) and private pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the CFI stated that he noticed loose nuts on the intake manifold during pre-flight. The CFI and student pilot tightened the nuts and continued with the instructional flight. After takeoff and 40 to 45 minutes of maneuvers, they landed the aircraft, turned off power, and exited. They said that they wanted to check the intake manifold. After finding all satisfactory, they performed a maintenance run to check the manifold pressure. After raising the manifold pressure up to 26 inches the pilot said the aircraft became "light on the skids" but did not break ground. After setting the aircraft back down it rolled left and to the rear. The main rotor blades impacted the ground and separated from the aircraft. Post accident examination of the wreckage by the FAA Inspector revealed the left rear oleo strut had failed by separating from the top of the strut. Also, sets of skid marks were found leading to the accident location. The first set were found approximately 50 feet away. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5981X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5981X-2012-09-28), registration cancelled 2012-09-28, S/N 124, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Brantly Helicopter B-2 - Registry model: [Brantly B-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/brantly-b-2) (registry code 1440502) (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: 124 - Airframe hours: 1338 - Engines: Lycoming VO-360-A1B 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Bellamy Aviation Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 17, 1996, 20 hours before - Departed: N00 - Destination: N00 - Airport: N00, Oswego County ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 10,000 total, 20 in this make and model, 8,000 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F ## 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 19960612047249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960612047249A), Jun 12, 1996: Fulton, NY, No damage. (-16) Aircraft rolled to left on set-down after ground run. Blades contacted terrain. Flight instruction received while operating under a dealer's… 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.