Brantly B-2B accident near Rothbury, Michigan, August 29, 2013
On August 29, 2013 at about 8:43 pm local time, a Brantly B-2B (helicopter), registered N2253U, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Rothbury, Michigan. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control while turning to avoid trees during an aborted takeoff in gusting wind conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 29, 2013 · about 8:43 pm local time
- Place
- Rothbury, Michigan · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Brantly B-2B · all B-2Bs on the register
- Registration
- N2253U · no longer on the register · serial 412
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he initiated a takeoff in light and variable wind conditions from the middle of a private field. During the takeoff, the pilot initiated a left pedal turn to abort the takeoff, likely in an attempt to avoid trees. During the left pedal turn, a wind gust forced the helicopter toward the ground. The helicopter subsequently impacted the ground hard at a near-level attitude on an uphill slope. The main rotor blade struck the ground, and the helicopter then rolled and came to rest on its left side. The open field was about 750 feet long (east to west) and 150 feet wide. The field was surrounded by about 30- to 40-foot-tall pine trees with larger growth on the west end. Performance charts from the helicopter's flight manual indicated that the helicopter should have had sufficient takeoff climb performance to clear the trees. Examination of the helicopter did not reveal any mechanical anomalies with the flight controls or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the helicopter was operating normally before the accident.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Prop/rotor parameters › Not attained/maintained
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 2,060 hours in all; 31 in this make and model; 239 in the last 90 days; 85 in the last 30 days; 1,953 as pilot in command; 999 on instruments
- Last flight review: May 26, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,572 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 10, 2013; 46 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,670 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O&VO-360 SER (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Rothbury MI at 8:45 pm
- Destination: Rothbury MI
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.