Brantly B-2B accident near Archer, FL

On February 11, 2001, a Brantly B-2B (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Archer, FL. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.

Date

February 11, 2001

Place

Archer, FL

Aircraft

Brantly B-2B · Helicopter

Injuries

2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor

Damage

Destroyed

Position

29.618°N, 82.509°W

NTSB ID

20010216X00461

NTSB summary

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On February 11, 2001, about 1509 eastern standard time, a Brantly B-2B helicopter, N2166U, registered to B and W Helicopters Inc., and operated by a private individual as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, crashed while attempting to take off from a helipad at the Flying Ten Airport, Archer, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter was destroyed, and the commercial-rated pilot in command (PIC) and student pilot/owner sustained fatal injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. One witness said that he was in the trailer at the airport, close to the helipad, and he had observed the helicopter complete an earlier uneventful flight, with only the PIC on board. He stated that upon returning to the airport, the PIC performed hover tests prior to landing and disembarking the helicopter. The PIC then held a conversation with the student/owner, and they both embarked the helicopter. During startup, the witness said he heard the "usual engine pop", which occurred about 5 or 6 times as the main rotor increased speed, and shortly after the helicopter then lifted off, and rose to an altitude of about 5 or 6 feet. He said he again heard a loud "pop", like a loud backfire, or the bang of metal hitting metal, and saw the helicopter rock to the left, right, and left again, i.e. from side to side, and further stated that the nose had pitched down. The witness said he then saw the helicopter roll to the left again, and one of the main rotor blades struck the concrete helipad breaking a b

Probable cause

The flight crew's loss of control for undermined reasons.

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Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.