Brantly B2B accident near Monrovia, Indiana, July 24, 2020
On July 24, 2020 at about 5:16 pm local time, a 1963 Brantly B2B (helicopter), registered N383ES, was destroyed in an accident during initial climb near Monrovia, Indiana (Private airport). It was a flight test under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s loss of control after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 24, 2020 · about 5:16 pm local time
- Place
- Monrovia, Indiana · Private · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Brantly B2B, built 1963 · all B2Bs on the register
- Registration
- N383ES · registry record · serial 344
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Flight test · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
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 initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 4,400 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 1,670 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IVO-360-A1 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: PVT Monrovia IN
- Destination: PVT Monrovia IN
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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 July 26, 2022. 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 | Police Report Narrative | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Correspondence - FAA | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Record of Conversation - FAA | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | FAA Site Diagram | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Photo Log | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 6 | FAA Forensic Toxicology Report | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Medical Factual Report | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.