|
Location:
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Fort Worth, Texas
|
Accident Number:
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CEN26LA065
|
|
Date & Time:
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December 19, 2025, 08:25 Local
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Registration:
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N505TZ
|
|
Aircraft:
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BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON
CANADA 505
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Aircraft Damage:
|
Substantial
|
|
Defining Event:
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Loss of control in flight
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Injuries:
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2 Minor
|
|
Flight Conducted Under:
|
Part 91: General aviation - Instructional
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|
|
Analysis
The company’s chief flight instructor reported that during a hydraulic system training maneuver, the pilot receiving instruction established too high of a sink rate, and the helicopter bounced upon touchdown. The helicopter then yawed to the right and bounced a second time before starting a slide towards the edge of the runway. The pilot receiving instruction attempted to correct by pushing the collective full down, however, the flight instructor realized that the helicopter would not come to a stop before exiting the runway and attempted to lift the helicopter back into the air. Before the helicopter could lift off, the left skid contacted the grass, the helicopter rolled to the left, and the main rotor contacted the ground. The helicopter then rolled to the right and came to rest on its right side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor system, tail rotor system, and tail boom. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. The chief flight instructor reported the accident could have been prevented if the flight instructor would have recognized the excessive rate of descent and made the necessary control inputs.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The flight instructor’s inadequate supervision during the approach and delayed remedial action, which resulted in a loss of control.
Findings
Personnel issues Incorrect action performance - Student/instructed pilot
Factual Information
History of Flight
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Landing
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Loss of control in flight (Defining event)
|
|
Landing-flare/touchdown
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Runway excursion
|
|
Landing-landing roll
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Roll over
|
Pilot Information
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Certificate:
|
Commercial
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Age:
|
47,Male
|
|
Airplane Rating(s):
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None
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Seat Occupied:
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Right
|
|
Other Aircraft Rating(s):
|
Helicopter
|
Restraint Used:
|
4-point
|
|
Instrument Rating(s):
|
Helicopter
|
Second Pilot Present:
|
Yes
|
|
Instructor Rating(s):
|
None
|
Toxicology Performed:
|
|
|
Medical Certification:
|
Class 2 With waivers/limitations
|
Last FAA Medical Exam:
|
May 1, 2025
|
|
Occupational Pilot:
|
Yes
|
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Flight Instructor Information
|
Certificate:
|
Commercial; Flight instructor
|
|
Airplane Rating(s):
|
Single-engine land
|
|
Other Aircraft Rating(s):
|
Helicopter
|
|
Instrument Rating(s):
|
Airplane; Helicopter
|
|
Instructor Rating(s):
|
Helicopter; Instrument helicopter
|
|
Medical Certification:
|
Class 2 Without
waivers/limitations
|
|
Occupational Pilot:
|
Yes
|
|
Flight Time:
|
2690 hours (Total, all aircraft), 88 hours (Total, this make and model), 1493 hours (Pilot In
Command, all aircraft), 35 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 10 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft),
1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
|
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
|
Aircraft Make:
|
BELL HELICOPTER
TEXTRON CANADA
|
Registration:
|
N505TZ
|
|
Model/Series:
|
505
|
Aircraft Category:
|
Helicopter
|
|
Year of Manufacture:
|
2017
|
Amateur Built:
|
|
|
Airworthiness Certificate:
|
Normal
|
Serial Number:
|
65012
|
|
Landing Gear Type:
|
High skid
|
Seats:
|
5
|
|
Date/Type of Last Inspection:
|
December 9, 2025 100 hour
|
Certified Max Gross Wt.:
|
3680 lbs
|
|
Time Since Last Inspection:
|
|
Engines:
|
1 Turbo shaft
|
|
Airframe Total Time:
|
2280 Hrs at time of accident
|
Engine Manufacturer:
|
TURBOMECA
|
|
ELT:
|
Installed, not activated
|
Engine Model/Series:
|
ARRIUS 2R
|
|
Registered Owner:
|
BELL TEXTRON INC
|
Rated Power:
|
505 Horsepower
|
|
Operator:
|
Bell Training Academy
|
Operating Certificate(s)
Held:
|
Rotorcraft external load
(133), Pilot school (141)
|
|
Operator Does Business As:
|
|
Operator Designator Code:
|
FW8S
|
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
|
Conditions at Accident Site:
|
Visual (VMC)
|
Condition of Light:
|
Day
|
|
Observation Facility, Elevation:
|
KNFW,608 ft msl
|
Distance from Accident Site:
|
7 Nautical Miles
|
|
Observation Time:
|
07:52 Local
|
Direction from Accident Site:
|
280°
|
|
Lowest Cloud Condition:
|
Few / 25000 ft AGL
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Visibility
|
10 miles
|
|
Lowest Ceiling:
|
|
Visibility (RVR):
|
|
|
Wind Speed/Gusts:
|
/
|
Turbulence Type
Forecast/Actual:
|
/
|
|
Wind Direction:
|
|
Turbulence Severity
Forecast/Actual:
|
/
|
|
Altimeter Setting:
|
30.19 inches Hg
|
Temperature/Dew Point:
|
2°C / -4°C
|
|
Precipitation and Obscuration:
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No Obscuration; No Precipitation
|
|
|
|
Departure Point:
|
Fort Worth, TX
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Type of Flight Plan Filed:
|
None
|
|
Destination:
|
Fort Worth, TX
|
Type of Clearance:
|
None
|
|
Departure Time:
|
|
Type of Airspace:
|
Class E
|
Airport Information
|
Airport:
|
Bell South XS04
|
Runway Surface Type:
|
Asphalt
|
|
Airport Elevation:
|
473 ft msl
|
Runway Surface Condition:
|
Dry
|
|
Runway Used:
|
Lane 2
|
IFR Approach:
|
None
|
|
Runway Length/Width:
|
1600 ft / 65 ft
|
VFR Approach/Landing:
|
Simulated forced
landing;Straight-in
|
Wreckage and Impact Information
|
Crew Injuries:
|
2 Minor
|
Aircraft Damage:
|
Substantial
|
|
Passenger Injuries:
|
N/A
|
Aircraft Fire:
|
None
|
|
Ground Injuries:
|
N/A
|
Aircraft Explosion:
|
None
|
|
Total Injuries:
|
2 Minor
|
Latitude, Longitude:
|
32.7484,-97.320606(est)
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