Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The student pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control during a hover.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The student pilot reported that, while hovering the helicopter, a wind gust picked up the helicopter and pushed it to the left. He attempted to recover, but the skid impacted the ground and the helicopter rolled onto its left side.
The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the windscreen and tailboom.
The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 5 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 340° at 4 knots.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA18CA543