Pilot Debrief

MCDONNELL DOUGLAS HELICOPTER 600N near Angleton, TX — 2015-12-07

Final reportCEN16LA058
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Date
2015-12-07
Location
Angleton, TX, USA
Aircraft
MCDONNELL DOUGLAS HELICOPTER 600N
Registration
N607BP
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

A loss of control while hovering for reasons that could not be determined, because postaccident examination revealed no mechanical anomalies or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB narrative

Before landing, the private pilot conducted an area reconnaissance in the helicopter about 300 to 500 ft above ground level (agl), and noted the wind was calm. While performing hover work about 15 ft agl, the helicopter pitched nose down, and the pilot pulled aft on the cyclic to recover. The helicopter then rolled to the right, and the pilot applied left cyclic. The pilot stated that the helicopter seemed to right itself, then "snap turned" to the right and entered a spin. The pilot then attempted to land the helicopter, and during the landing, the helicopter impacted terrain and rolled onto its left side. Examination of the airframe, flight controls, and engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation, and the reason for the loss of control could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted landing when helicopter pitched forward excessively.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 7 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents7

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