# NTSB SEA07CA258: Bell 206-B2, N205LT, Rosamond, CA, September 11, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 11, 2007, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Rosamond, CA
- Coordinates: 34.870834, -118.209167
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8708&lon=-118.2092&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66649
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA07CA258
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66649/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07CA258

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for gusting variable winds encountered after landing. Factors include gusting, suddenly shifting winds, and a hangar near the spot where the helicopter had landed.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, standing - engine(s) operating
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - sudden windshift (contributing factor)
  - object - hangar/airport building (contributing factor)

## Analysis

After hover-taxiing to his normal parking spot in strong gusting variable winds, the pilot landed the helicopter. He then rolled the throttle to flight-idle, frictioned the collective down, started the timing for the required two-minute turbine cool down, and leaned forward to tighten the friction for the cyclic. At that point, the helicopter, which still had considerable energy in its slowing main rotor, was hit by a strong gust of wind. The helicopter became momentarily airborne, and collided with a nearby hangar.  According to witnesses, the winds at the airport were gusting between the hangars, resulting in sudden strong gusts coming from varying directions.

## Factual narrative

After hover-taxiing to his normal parking spot in strong gusting variable winds, the pilot landed the helicopter. He then rolled the throttle to flight-idle, frictioned the collective down, started the timing for the required two-minute turbine cool down, and leaned forward to tighten the friction for the cyclic. At that point, the helicopter, which still had considerable energy in its slowing main rotor, was hit by a strong gust of wind. The helicopter became momentarily airborne, and collided with a nearby hangar.  According to witnesses, the winds at the airport were gusting between the hangars, resulting in sudden strong gusts coming from varying directions.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N205LT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N205LT-2015-05-08), registration cancelled 2015-05-08, S/N 1459, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Bell 206-B2
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 400HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-400hp) (registry code 03013, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1459
- Engines: Rolls-Royce 250-C20 turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William P. Francis
- Registered owner: William P. Francis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: KTSP, Tehachapi, CA
- Destination: L00, Rosamond, CA
- Airport: L00, Rosamond Skypark

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 17,000 total, 1,100 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 14 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 32 °F
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observed at: KWJR, 10 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 20070911018949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070911018949A), Sep 11, 2007: Bell 206B, Rosamond, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft landed, pilot stated that he rolled the throttle to flight idle and tightened the cyclic friction, then aircraft impacted a hangar approximately…

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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