# NTSB SEA83LA153: Brantly Helicopter B2, N5955X, Rogue River, OR, April 16, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 16, 1983, 10:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Rogue River, OR
- Coordinates: 42.54047, -123.100936 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5405&lon=-123.1009&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39733
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83LA153
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39733/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83LA153

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER DURING LIFT OFF WITH PILOT AND ONE PASSENGER AND A FULL LOAD OF FUEL. ON A PREVIOUS FLT WITH ONE PASSENGER AND 8 GALLONS OF FUEL THE PILOT HAD NOTICED THE LEFT SKID WAS ABOUT 8 INCHES LOWER THAN THE RIGHT DURING LIFT OFF. ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT THE LEFT SKID DID NOT BREAK GROUND CONTACT UNTIL THE RIGHT SKID WAS ABOUT 18 INCHESOFF THE GROUND. AN ATTEMPT TO STOP THE ROLL OVER WITH CYCLIC WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THIS WAS THE PILOTS FIRST LIFT OFF IN THEB-2 WITH A PASSENGER AND A FULL LOAD (ABOUT 31 GALLONS) OF FUEL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Roll over, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft weight and balance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - adequate rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5955X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5955X-2019-11-29), registration cancelled 2019-11-29, S/N 96 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Brantly Helicopter B2
- Registry model: [Brantly B-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/brantly-b-2) (registry code 1440502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 96
- Airframe hours: 460
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-B60 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert L. Stevenson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 16, 1983
- Airport: Spring Brook, runway 29, 2,400 ×  ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, expired; seat: right; flight hours: 595 total, 9 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 1 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- 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 19830416035679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830416035679A), Apr 16, 1983: Hynes B2, Rogue River, OR, Substantial damage. Lifted one skid off on an attempted takeoff. Helicopter rolled on its side. Indicates a dynamic rollover sequence.

## Other investigations on N5955X (2)

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 ANC17CA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC17CA044), Jun 25, 2017: Brantly B2 (N5955X), St. Michael, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inadequate supervision of the refueling process, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to water contamination in the helicopter’s fuel system from the fuel drum and subsequent…
- [NTSB SEA73DY103](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA73DY103), Aug 23, 1972: Brantly B-2 (N5955X), Roseburg, OR, substantial damage

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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