BRANTLY B-2B
Cedar Hill, TX — November 20, 2008
Event Information
| Date | November 20, 2008 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| Location | Cedar Hill, TX |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 32.55000, -96.96667 |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
| NTSB Number | CEN09CA068 |
| Event ID | 20081121X25648 |
Aircraft
| Make | BRANTLY |
| Model | B-2B |
| Registration # | N2180U |
| Operator | INVERTED U S |
| Owner | INVERTED U S |
| Category | HELI |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 2 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's improper decision to takeoff downwind. A contributing factor was the gusty conditions.
Full Narrative
The non helicopter rated pilot and passenger departed downwind for a local flight. Once above the surrounding obstacles the helicopter began to settle. Unable to arrest the rate of decent, the pilot elected to land in an empty industrial park lot. The helicopter experienced a hard landing and rolled on to its side. The pilot and passenger were able to exit the helicopter unassisted. The pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented if he would have observed the wind condition from an obstacle free area before departure. A weather reporting station 14 miles east of the accident site reported, wind from 360 degrees at 18 knots gusting to 23 knots.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.