# NTSB WPR10CA064: Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1, N177PA, Grand Canyon, AZ, November 23, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 23, 2009, 11:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Grand Canyon, AZ - Coordinates: 35.863334, -112.076667 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8633&lon=-112.0767&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report March 23, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Avitation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 75090 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10CA064 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75090/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75090 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA064 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=1182107), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1182107), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1182107), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=1182107), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md) ## Analysis The certified flight instructor and pilot under instruction completed their helicopter external load training and landed the helicopter in a clear and level spot. Both pilots exited the helicopter, unhooked the external line, and verified the helicopter was clear of any skid entanglement. Both pilots reentered the helicopter. The pilot under instruction began to apply collective to lift the helicopter off the ground. As the helicopter started to come up, the left skid lifted first and the helicopter began to roll to the right. Both pilots applied full down collective and full left cyclic but the helicopter continued to roll over on its right side. The pilot stated that the helicopter and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the external load training portion of the flight ## Factual narrative The certified flight instructor and pilot under instruction completed their helicopter external load training and landed the helicopter in a clear and level spot. Both pilots exited the helicopter, unhooked the external line, and verified the helicopter was clear of any skid entanglement. Both pilots reentered the helicopter. The pilot under instruction began to apply collective to lift the helicopter off the ground. As the helicopter started to come up, the left skid lifted first and the helicopter began to roll to the right. Both pilots applied full down collective and full left cyclic but the helicopter continued to roll over on its right side. The pilot stated that the helicopter and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the external load training portion of the flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N177PA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N177PA-2012-03-22), registration cancelled 2012-03-22, S/N 45194 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON 206L-1 - Registry model: [Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-helicopter-textron-206l-1) (registry code 1182107) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 45194 - Airframe hours: 13806 - Engines: Rolls-Royce 250 C30P 417 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Papillon Airways Inc - Registered owner: Monarch Enterprises Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, October 13, 2009 - Departed: KGCN, Grand Canyon, AZ - Destination: KGCN, Grand Canyon, AZ - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 37; injuries: minor; commercial, flight instructor; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 16, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 6,607 total, 3,917 in this make and model - Pilot; age 41; injuries: minor; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 5, 2009; seat: right; flight hours: 2,772 total, 1,047 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 12 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: KGCN, 5 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 20091123022279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20091123022279A), Nov 23, 2009: Bell 206L1, Red Butte, AZ, Destroyed. Upon completion of 1.4 hours of FAR part 133 external load training, Bell 206 L-1, N177PA, landed on a level dry dirt surface. The flight controls were… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 22, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75090. 3.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 621 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40323227&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo - on scene (item 2, .PDF, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40323162&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20-%20on%20scene-Master.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.