# NTSB WPR11CA243: Bell 206B3, N59383, Glendale, AZ, May 27, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 27, 2011, 08:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Glendale, AZ - Coordinates: 33.529167, -112.296669 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5292&lon=-112.2967&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Autorotation: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 22, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 79285 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11CA243 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/79285/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79285 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA243 ## Probable cause The certified flight instructor's failure to maintain adequate main rotor RPM during the autorotation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Instructor/check 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) - [Engine controls: power lever](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 95 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: prop/rotor parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 182 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Autorotation: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Autorotation: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The certified flight instructor reported that the purpose of the flight was to demonstrate a variety of maneuvers to the student in the helicopter. Near the end of the flight the instructor demonstrated a power-on autorotation; however, he delayed the application of power and did not have sufficient rotor RPM to recover the helicopter before impacting the ground. Upon ground impact, the helicopter's tail rotor drive shaft and main rotor blades were damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions of failures with the airframe or the engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The certified flight instructor reported that he took off in the helicopter to show a student pilot a demonstration of various maneuvers. Near the end of the flight the instructor demonstrated a power on autorotation but he was late rolling on the throttle and did not have sufficient rotor RPM to recover the helicopter before impacting the ground. Upon ground impact the helicopter's tail rotor drive shaft and main rotor blades were damaged. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions of failures with the airframe or the engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N59383](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N59383), registered now, S/N 1150, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 206B3 - 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: 1150 - Airframe hours: 14256 - Engines: Rolls Royce 250C20 400 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: N57aw LLC - Registered owner: N57aw LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Unknown - Last inspection: Annual, April 12, 2011 - Departed: KGEU, Glendale, AZ - Destination: KGEU, Glendale, AZ - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: KGEU, Glendale Municipal Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 27; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 15, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 3,353 total, 965 in this make and model, 3,185 as pilot in command, 93 in the last 90 days, 38 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: KGEU, 13 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 20110527012299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110527012299A), May 27, 2011: Bell 206B, Glendale, AZ, Substantial damage. At approximately 8:30 a.m. on may 27, 2011 a Bell 206B helicopter (N59383) experienced a hard landing in a confined area approximately 15 miles north of… ## Other investigations on N59383 (1) 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 LAX75DUJ55](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX75DUJ55-201470), Jan 14, 1975: Bell 206B (N59383), Glendale, AZ, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 27, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79285. 915 KB in all. - Pilot Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2 (item 1, .PDF, 583 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350044&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Operator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%2F2-Redacted.PDF - Certified Flight Instructor's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 29 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349740&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Certified%20Flight%20Instructor%27s%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Student Pilot Written Statement (item 3, .PDF, 303 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349741&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Student%20Pilot%20Written%20Statement-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.