Pilot Debrief

BELL AH-1F near Coolidge, AZ — 2012-03-01

Final reportWPR12LA107
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Date
2012-03-01
Location
Coolidge, AZ, USA
Airport
P08
Aircraft
BELL AH-1F
Registration
N197LE
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

A flight control malfunction while maneuvering for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination revealed no evidence of a mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he was conducting flybys to film a segment for a documentary. During his last run, he initiated a 150- to 180-degree climbing right turn to about 200 ft above the ground. After the turn, he attempted to neutralize the flight controls in preparation for a normal approach to land, but he was unable to move them. The helicopter remained in the same turn rate with the same collective pitch and cyclic input until ground impact. A postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the flight control malfunction could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the maneuver before losing control.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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