Accident Details
Date
Sunday, October 18, 2015
NTSB Number
GAA16CA055
Location
Searchlight, NV
Event ID
20151119X45914
Coordinates
35.488609, -115.000000
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from a tree during hover flight.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Name
C-FLEET LLC
Address
PO BOX 7967
City
MISSOULA
State / Zip Code
MT 59807-7967
Country
United States
Analysis
The pilot of a helicopter reported that during a 10 foot hover, he encountered a gust of wind and felt the tail rotor impact a tree. The pilot initiated an autorotation, but the main rotor impacted the tail boom during the descent and the helicopter rolled over after touchdown. The main rotor and tail boom were substantially damaged.
The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA16CA055