# NTSB WPR10CA057: Bell 206B, N16869, Lyons, OR, November 18, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 18, 2009, 09:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Lyons, OR - Coordinates: 44.819675, -122.370697 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8197&lon=-122.3707&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Settling with power/vortex ring state](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 23, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 75067 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10CA057 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75067/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75067 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA057 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadvertent encounter with a vortex ring state (settling with power) condition while he was descending, and his improper initial remedial action. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action sequence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041020): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041020/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Settling with power/vortex ring state](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The purpose of the flight was for the pilot to relocate Christmas trees to a nearby drop site. The pilot said that as he was maneuvering the helicopter to the drop site with a load, the helicopter began to settle with power. In reaction he applied more collective to arrest the descent. The helicopter continued to descend and he then attempted to reduce the collective and maneuver forward. The helicopter touched down hard on the heels of the skids and the helicopter's nose came to rest in a pile of Christmas trees. According to the FAA's Rotorcraft Flying Handbook, when recovering from settling with power "the tendency on the part of the pilot is to first try to stop the descent by increasing collective pitch. However, this only results in increasing the stalled area of the rotor, thus increasing the rate of descent" and instead the pilot should recover by "increasing forward speed, and/or partially lowering collective pitch." The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to relocate Christmas trees to a nearby drop site. He had completed several loads over a duration of about 15 minutes. He said that as he was maneuvering the helicopter to the drop site with another load, the helicopter began to settle with power. In reaction he applied more collective in an effort to arrest the descent. The helicopter continued to descend and he attempted to reduce the collective and maneuver forward. The helicopter touched down hard on the heels of the skids and the helicopter's nose came to rest in a pile of Christmas trees. The tailboom was bent as a result of the hard landing. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine. The Rotorcraft Flying Handbook, FAA-H-8083-21, Chapter 11, Helicopter Emergencies, Vortex Ring State (Settling With Power), states: "The following combination of conditions are likely to cause settling in a vortex ring state: 1. A vertical or nearly vertical descent of at least 300 feet per minute. (Actual critical rate depends on the gross weight, r.p.m, density altitude, and other pertinent factors.) 2. The rotor system must be using some of the available engine power (from 20 to 100 percent). 3. The horizontal velocity must be slower than effective translational lift." It adds that "When recovering from a settling with power condition, the tendency on the part of the pilot is to first try to stop the descent by increasing collective pitch. However, this only results in increasing the stalled area of the rotor, thus increasing the rate of descent. Since inboard portions of the blades are stalled, cyclic control is limited. Recovery is accomplished by increasing forward speed, and/or partially lowering collective pitch. In a fully developed vortex ring state, the only recovery may be to enter autorotation to break the vortex ring state. When cyclic authority is regained, you can then increase forward airspeed." ## Aircraft - Registration: N16869 (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: BELL 206B - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2264 - Airframe hours: 10364 - Engines: ROLLS-ROYC 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 133 - Operator: Leading Edge Aviation Inc. - Registered owner: Helico LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Lyons, OR - Destination: Lyons, OR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; flight hours: 3,150 total, 1,520 in this make and model, 2,950 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg ## 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 20091118051329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20091118051329A), Nov 18, 2009: Bell 206B, Lyons, OR, Substantial damage. While approaching the drop off point for an external load of christmas trees pilot states that he lost lift and ended up landing hard. Substantial damage to… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 10, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75067. 501 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 501 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40322423&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.