# NTSB WPR11TA274: Bell 206B, N38EA, Franklin, CA, June 21, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report - Date: June 21, 2011, 11:55 local (18:55 UTC) - Place: Franklin, CA - Coordinates: 38.300277, -121.374725 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3003&lon=-121.3747&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Autorotation: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 8, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 80842 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11TA274 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/80842/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=80842 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11TA274 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to maintain rotor rpm during the practice autorotation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed 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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Simulated/training event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 173 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600/sequence.md) - [Autorotation: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); 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-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot was practicing autorotations and hovering maneuvers, and reported no anomalies with the helicopter during that period. He continued to practice 180-degree autorotations to the right in a nearby open field, and he successfully completed the first autorotation. During the second autorotation, he confirmed that all flight instruments were indicating normal engine operation, but noted that his airspeed was too slow. He attempted to apply corrective control inputs as the descent rate increased. About 100 feet above ground level, he heard the low rotor warning horn and immediately countered by quickly rolling the throttle to full power while applying up-collective. The helicopter did not respond to his inputs in the manner he was expecting, and he performed a run-on landing rather than continue with the attempted recovery. The helicopter then impacted the ground hard, spreading the skids, and then rolled onto its side. The pilot reported that the engine was still operating as he exited. A post impact fire subsequently consumed the majority of the helicopter's components. Subsequent examination of the remnants did not reveal any anomalies with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On June 21, 2011, about 1155 Pacific daylight time, a Bell 206B, N38EA, landed hard during a practice autorotation near Franklin Field Airport, Franklin, California. The helicopter was being operated by the California Department of Justice as a public-use, instructional flight. The solo student pilot was not injured; the helicopter sustained substantial damage during the landing, and was subsequently consumed by post impact fire. The flight departed Franklin at 1130. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that he initially departed in the helicopter from Sacramento Mather Airport, Sacramento, California, with the intention of performing pattern practice at Franklin. Upon arrival, he performed a series of straight-in autorotations, quick-stops, and low-hovers. He then performed two 180-degree autorotations to the left. He reported no anomalies with the helicopter during that period, and stated that all the maneuvers were uneventful. Due to the direction of the traffic pattern, he was unable to practice 180-degree autorotations to the right. He therefore departed with the intention of continuing the maneuvers in a field 3 miles east of the airport. The pilot chose a 50-feet-wide area, consisting of chest-high grass, where he practiced slope landings and pickups, and one uneventful 180-degree autorotation. He recalled that the temperature in the area was in excess of 100 degrees Fahrenheit. As he rounded the base leg for a second 180-degree autorotation, he confirmed all flight instruments were indicating normal engine operation, but noted his airspeed was too slow. He lowered the helicopter's nose, and the descent rate increased to about 1,800 feet per minute. About 100 feet above ground level (agl), he heard the low rotor warning horn, and immediately countered by quickly rolling the throttle to full power while applying up-collective. The helicopter then shuddered and vibrated, with accompanying, "snorting and popping sounds," that he had never experienced before. He elected to perform a run-on landing rather than continue with the recovery. During the landing, the helicopter impacted the ground hard, spreading the skids. The right skid dug into the ground and separated, and the helicopter rolled onto its right side. He then shutdown the fuel supply and egressed as a fire erupted. The pilot stated that the engine was still operating after he exited. The helicopter continued to burn for 2 more hours as fire crew attempted to gain access to the accident site. PERSONNEL INFORMATION A review of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airman records revealed that the pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land, and instrument airplane. He additionally held a private pilot certificate for airplane single-engine sea. The pilot did not hold a rotorcraft/helicopter certificate, but received an endorsement on October 15, 2010, to fly solo,and as pilot-in-command of helicopters in preparation for his practical test. He reported a total flight time in helicopters of 106 hours, with 62 in the accident make and model. TESTS AND RESEARCH The remaining sections of the helicopter, which included the engine, main rotor blades, tail rotor and associated gearbox were recovered for examination. Subsequent examination by an NTSB investigator did not reveal any anomalies with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. Refer to the engine and airframe report included in the public docket for further details. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N38EA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N38EA-2011-11-04), registration cancelled 2011-11-04, S/N 2555, 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 400HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-400hp) (registry code 03013, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2555 - Airframe hours: 8514 - Engines: Rolls Royce 250 Series 400 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Public aircraft - state, Public use - Operator: California Department of Justice - Registered owner: Photos Unlimited - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 25, 2011, 22 hours before - Departed: F72, Franklin, CA - Destination: F72, Franklin, CA - Airport: F72, Franklin Field ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 49; injuries: none; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 5, 2010; seat: right; flight hours: 2,329 total, 62 in this make and model, 2,324 as pilot in command, 115 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.78 inHg - Observed at: SAC, 4 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 20110621010929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110621010929A), Jun 21, 2011: Bell 206B, Franklin, CA, Destroyed. Per pilot, he was practicing autorotations and had done several already. During the last autorotation to a power recovery, when he rolled the throtle back on,… ## Other investigations on N38EA (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 LAX93LA258](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA258), Jun 17, 1993: Bell 206B3 (N38EA), Stoneyford, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing wind conditions during a hover operation. A factor in the accident was the high density altitude and the gusting, variable wind conditions. ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 5, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=80842. 8.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 436 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359613&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Record of Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 197 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359716&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Record%20of%20Conversation-Redacted.PDF - Retention / Release of Wreckage Form (item 3, .PDF, 137 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359745&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Retention%20%2F%20Release%20of%20Wreckage%20Form-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1: Helicopter at Accident Site (item 4, .PDF, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359713&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Helicopter%20at%20Accident%20Site-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Helicopter at Accident Site (item 5, .PDF, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359714&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Helicopter%20at%20Accident%20Site-Master.PDF - Airframe and Engine Exam (item 6, .PDF, 10 photos, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359614&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airframe%20and%20Engine%20Exam-Master.PDF - Pilot Rotorcraft/Helicopter Practical Test Sign-Off (item 7, .PDF, 105 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359715&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Rotorcraft%2FHelicopter%20Practical%20Test%20Sign-Off-Redacted.PDF - Helicopter Supplemental Checklist (item 8, .PDF, 27 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359711&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Helicopter%20Supplemental%20Checklist-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.