Brantly-Hynes B-2B accident near Hood River, Oregon, May 14, 1992
On May 14, 1992 at about 2:30 am local time, a Brantly-Hynes B-2B (helicopter), registered N5972X, was substantially damaged in an accident near Hood River, Oregon (Hood River Airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE DELAYED REMEDIAL ACTION OF THE PILOT (CFI). FACTORS INCLUDE LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN TYPE OF AIRCRAFT, AND LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN TYPE OF OPERATION.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 14, 1992 · about 2:30 am local time
- Place
- Hood River, Oregon · Hood River Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Brantly-Hynes B-2B
- Registration
- N5972X · no longer on the register · serial 115
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE STUDENT PILOT OF THE BRANTLY-HYNES B-2B INITIATED A RIGHT PEDAL-TURN WHILE IN THE HOVER, BUT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE ROTATION. WHEN THE CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR TOOK CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT, HE FOUND THAT HE WAS ALSO UNABLE TO STOP THE ROTATION WITH FULL PEDAL DEFLECTION. HE THEREFORE ELECTED TO ATTEMPT AN AUTOROTATIONAL LANDING, BUT DURING THIS ATTEMPT, THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED OVER AND IMPACTED THE GROUND.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 289 hours in all; 2 in this make and model; 54 in the last 90 days; 23 in the last 30 days; 198 as pilot in command; 1 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,500 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, April 13, 1992
- Maximum gross weight: 1,670 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IVO-360-A1A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 27, 3,000 ft by 75 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
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.