ELK CITY, OK, USA
N2266U
Brantly Helicopter B-2B
THE PILOT DRAGGED THE LEFT SKID OF THE HELICOPTER DURING A HOVER TAXI, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE RAMP AREA, AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED ONTO THE LEFT SIDE BEFORE COMING TO REST. THE PILOT REPORTED THE TEMPERATURE AT 29 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AND THAT HE WAS 'VERY COLD DUE TO NO HEATER IN THE AIRCRAFT AND THAT HIS REFLEXES HAD SLOWED DOWN.' THE PILOT WAS ADDING A HELICOPTER RATING TO HIS COMMERCIAL CERTIFICATE; HE WAS NOT RATED IN ROTORCRAFT/HELICOPTERS.
On March 8, 1995, at 2045 central standard time, a Brantly B-2B, N2266U, was substantially damaged during hover taxi at Elk City, Oklahoma. The commercial pilot was not injured. The helicopter was operated as an instructional flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91 and the flight originated in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, at 1840 central standard time. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the solo cross country training flight and a flight plan was not filed. During a personal interview, conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot reported that he was in the process of adding a helicopter rating to his commercial certificate. Upon the return to Elk City, the pilot was hover taxiing his personal helicopter to the hangar when "he dragged the left skid of the helicopter while in a hovering turn," the main rotor blades struck the ramp area, and the helicopter came to rest on its left side. A temperature of 29 degrees Fahrenheit was reported by the pilot. The pilot further reported that "he was very cold due to no heater in the aircraft, and that his reflexes had slowed down."
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE DURING A HOVERING TURN. A FACTOR WAS THE LOW TEMPERATURE.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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