# NTSB WPR10CA100: Bell 206B, N127TP, Kalispell, MT, January 7, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 7, 2010, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Kalispell, MT - Coordinates: 48.133888, -113.830558 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1339&lon=-113.8306&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 7, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 75244 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10CA100 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75244/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75244 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA100 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain lateral drift control during landing. ## 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: [Bell 206B, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Terrain: snowy/icy terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Bell 206B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 161 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot reported that he was landing the turbine-powered helicopter on a frozen lake covered by 18 to 24 inches of snow. He reported that during the landing flare, in reduced visibility due to blowing snow, the helicopter drifted right and when the skid depth in the snow increased the helicopter rolled over, which resulted in structural damage to the airframe. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter. ## Factual narrative The student pilot reported that he was landing the turbine-powered helicopter on a frozen lake covered by 18 to 24 inches of snow. He reported that during the landing flare, in reduced visibility due to blowing snow, the helicopter drifted right and when the skid depth in the snow increased the helicopter rolled over, which resulted in structural damage to the airframe. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N127TP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N127TP-2013-03-19), registration cancelled 2013-03-19, S/N 2582, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 206B - Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 250HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-250hp) (registry code 03002, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2582 - Airframe hours: 9381 - Engines: ALLISON 250 SER 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: N127tp, LLC - Registered owner: N127tp, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, February 2, 2009, 40 hours before - Departed: S27, Kalispell, MT - Destination: Kalispell, MT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; student, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 2, 2008; seat: right; flight hours: 3,000 total, 250 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 7 °F, dew point 1 °F - Altimeter: 30.79 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 20100107004879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100107004879A), Jan 7, 2010: Bell 206B, Kalispell, MT, Substantial damage. On January 7, 2010, pilot dennis carver certificate number 520442529 flew Bell 206B N127TP from Kalispell city to handerchief lake, which was frozen. Upon… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 25, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75244. 214 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 214 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40324390&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.