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Location:
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Monrovia, Indiana
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Accident Number:
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CEN20LA304
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Date & Time:
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July 24, 2020, 13:16 Local
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Registration:
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N383ES
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Aircraft:
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Brantly B2B
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Aircraft Damage:
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Destroyed
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Defining Event:
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Loss of control in flight
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Injuries:
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1 Fatal
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Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Flight test
Analysis
The pilot was performing an annual inspection and maintenance flight for the helicopter at the time of the accident. After the pilot completed three or four short flights prior to attempting an additional flight. During this flight, the helicopter was exiting translational lift when it dipped and turned right abruptly and hit the ground. Postaccident examination of the helicopter confirmed flight control continuity. Additional examinations of the engine were limited due to damage incurred from impact damage and postimpact fire. The reasons for any loss of control and/or engine failure could not be determined.
There was no available evidence that a medical factor contributed to the crash.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The pilot’s loss of control after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
Findings
Aircraft (general) - Unknown/Not determined
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Factual Information
History of Flight
Initial climb - Loss of control in flight (Defining event)
Uncontrolled descent - Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
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On July 24, 2020, about 1316 eastern daylight time, a Brantly B2B helicopter, N383ES, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Monrovia, Indiana. The pilot was fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 maintenance test flight.
A witness stated that the pilot was performing a maintenance test flight, after a 100-hour interval and annual inspection was performed. The pilot completed three or four short flights around the pilot's property before taking off and traveling southerly at an altitude of about 20 ft above ground level. The pilot’s wife stated that it sounded like the helicopter was “missing.” A witness stated that it looked like the helicopter was exiting effective translational lift when the helicopter dipped, it turned right abruptly, and hit the ground. A post-crash fire started immediately, and the wreckage was destroyed.
Pilot Information
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Certificate:
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Commercial; Flight instructor Age:
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75,Male
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Airplane Rating(s):
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None Seat Occupied:
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Right
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Other Aircraft Rating(s):
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Helicopter Restraint Used:
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Instrument Rating(s):
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None Second Pilot Present:
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No
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Instructor Rating(s):
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Helicopter Toxicology Performed:
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Yes
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Medical Certification:
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Class 3 With waivers/limitations Last FAA Medical Exam:
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February 5, 2019
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Occupational Pilot:
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Yes Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
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Flight Time:
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(Estimated) 4400 hours (Total, all aircraft)
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Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
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Aircraft Make:
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Brantly
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Registration:
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N383ES
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Model/Series:
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B2B
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Aircraft Category:
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Helicopter
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Year of Manufacture:
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1963
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Amateur Built:
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Airworthiness Certificate:
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Normal
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Serial Number:
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344
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Landing Gear Type:
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Skid
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Seats:
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2
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Date/Type of Last Inspection:
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Annual
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Certified Max Gross Wt.:
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1670 lbs
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Time Since Last Inspection:
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Engines:
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1 Reciprocating
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Airframe Total Time:
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Engine Manufacturer:
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Lycoming
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ELT:
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Engine Model/Series:
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IVO-360-A1
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Registered Owner:
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Rated Power:
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180 Horsepower
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Operator:
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On file
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Operating Certificate(s) Held:
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None
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Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
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Conditions at Accident Site:
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Visual (VMC) Condition of Light:
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Day
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Observation Facility, Elevation:
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Distance from Accident Site:
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Observation Time:
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Direction from Accident Site:
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Lowest Cloud Condition:
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Visibility
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Lowest Ceiling:
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Visibility (RVR):
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Wind Speed/Gusts:
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/ Turbulence Type
Forecast/Actual:
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None /
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Wind Direction:
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Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
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/
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Altimeter Setting:
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Temperature/Dew Point:
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Precipitation and Obscuration:
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No Obscuration; No Precipitation
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Departure Point:
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Monrovia, IN (PVT ) Type of Flight Plan Filed:
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None
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Destination:
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Monrovia, IN (PVT ) Type of Clearance:
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None
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Departure Time:
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Type of Airspace:
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Class G
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Airport Information
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Airport:
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Private PVT
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Runway Surface Type:
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Airport Elevation:
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804 ft msl
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Runway Surface Condition:
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Soft;Vegetation
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Runway Used:
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IFR Approach:
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None
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Runway Length/Width:
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VFR Approach/Landing:
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None
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Wreckage and Impact Information
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Crew Injuries:
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1 Fatal
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Aircraft Damage:
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Destroyed
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Passenger Injuries:
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Aircraft Fire:
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On-ground
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Ground Injuries:
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Aircraft Explosion:
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None
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Total Injuries:
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1 Fatal
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Latitude, Longitude:
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39.570869,-86.500274(est)
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The wreckage was destroyed by impact forces and post-crash fire. The landing gear skid were separated from the fuselage. The main rotor assembly and tail rotor assembly were separated from the fuselage and tailboom, both of which were resting along the wreckage path. The tailboom, with the tail rotor driveshaft, was attached to the fuselage.
A postaccident examination of the engine cylinders using a borescopeshowed no amonalies. Continuity of the engine valve and drive train to the accessory section was confirmed. The accessories could not undergo functional testing due to post-crash fire and impact damage. Examination of the flight control system confirmed flight control continuity.
Medical and Pathological Information
The pilot initially survived and was transported to a hospital for specialized burn/trauma care. No significant pre-existing natural disease was documented. An early hospital blood test for ethanol was negative. The pilot succumbed to his injuries on the day of the accident.
The Marion County Coroner's Office performed the pilot’s autopsy, which was limited to an external examination only. According to the autopsy report, the cause of death was thermal burn injuries, and the manner of death was accident.
Toxicological testing detected the medications amlodipine and atorvastatin in the pilot’s blood. Those medications generally are not considered impairing. Also detected in blood were morphine, ketamine, norketamine, and etomidate, all of which were attributable to medications administered to the pilot during his initial medical care after the accident.
Administrative Information
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Investigator In Charge (IIC):
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Gallo, Mitchell
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Additional Participating Persons:
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Leslie Thompson; Federal Aviation Administration; Indianpolis FSDO; Plainfield, IN
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Original Publish Date:
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August 16, 2022 Investigation Class: 3
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Note:
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The NTSB did not travel to the scene of this accident.
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Investigation Docket:
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https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101666
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