Brantly B 2B accident near Galena, Missouri, March 25, 2016
On March 25, 2016 at about 10:30 pm local time, a 1964 Brantly B 2B (helicopter), registered N2266U, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Galena, Missouri. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s loss of control for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 25, 2016 · about 10:30 pm local time
- Place
- Galena, Missouri · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Brantly B 2B B, built 1964 · all B 2Bs on the register
- Registration
- N2266U · no longer on the register · serial 428
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Two witnesses saw the helicopter circle three times at low altitude. During the third pass, the helicopter descended to about 20 ft above the ground before it entered a climb. As it climbed, the helicopter entered a spin and descended to the ground. Both of the witnesses stated that the engine continued to run after impact. A postaccident examination of the wreckage did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the helicopter, and the reason for the loss of control could not be determined. Review of the pilot's logbook showed he had about 192 hours of helicopter flight time but did not hold a rotorcraft rating.
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
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Experience/qualifications › Qualification/certification › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,641 hours in all; 122.5 in this make and model; 1,594.4 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 15, 2015
- Landing gear: fixed
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: Cape Fair MO at 10:15 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 110° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 25,000 ft
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 36°F (2°C)
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observation at 11:50 pm from BBG, 18 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
7 documents, released by the NTSB on May 4, 2017. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Record of Conversations | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Missouri State Highway Patrol Report | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Witness List | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Fueling Information | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Maintenance Records | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Google Earth Images | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Photo Array | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N2266U the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.