# NTSB WPR21LA185: Mcdonnell Douglas Heli 369FF, N972BW, Palm Gardens, NV, May 6, 2021

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: May 6, 2021, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Palm Gardens, NV
- Coordinates: 35.196949, -114.85647 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1969&lon=-114.8565&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- NTSB case key (mKey): 103046
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA185
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103046/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103046
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA185

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control during an encounter with a dust devil shortly after takeoff.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Wind: dust devil/whirlwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034060): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Mcdonnell Douglas Heli 369FF, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034060/cases.md?model=3027371), [All aircraft, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034060/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: yaw control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Mcdonnell Douglas Heli 369FF, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md?model=3027371), [All aircraft, 149 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mcdonnell Douglas Heli 369FF, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=3027371), [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: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Mcdonnell Douglas Heli 369FF, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=3027371), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, shortly after takeoff, the helicopter encountered a dust devil from the right side, which caused the helicopter to yaw right and descend. Despite the pilot’s best attempt to control the helicopter, it struck terrain. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail boom. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N972BW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N972BW-2021-08-17), registration cancelled 2021-08-17, S/N 0105FF, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MCDONNELL DOUGLAS HELI CO 369FF
- Registry model: [Mcdonnell Douglas Heli 369FF](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-heli-369ff) (registry code 3027371) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250-C30 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c30-series) (registry code 03015, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0105FF
- Year built: 1994
- Airframe hours: 5816
- Engines: Allison 250-C30 600 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: External load, Part 133
- Operator: Summit Helicopter Inc., doing business as Summit Helicopters Inc.
- Registered owner: Roberts Aircraft Co
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 1, 2021
- Equipment: ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 28, 2020; seat: left; flight hours: 3,209 total, 789 in this make and model, 3,148 as pilot in command, 213 in the last 90 days, 86 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 100 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 29.86 inHg
- Observed at: KIFP, 17 nm away
- METAR: KIFP 062048Z 17011KT 10SM FEW160 38/M04 A2986

## 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 20210506008169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210506008169A), May 6, 2021: Mcdonnell Douglas Heli Co 369FF, CA, Destroyed. Shortly after takeoff encounter a dust devil from the right of the aircraft, lost lift, helicopter became incontrollable and experienced hard landing.

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 1, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103046. 2.9 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 2.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12561575&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Accident pictures (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 340 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12562070&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR21LA185%20Accident%20Pictures-Rel.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.

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