Pilot Debrief

Safari S near Red Bud, IL — 2020-09-19

Final reportCEN20LA400
Sign in to save
Date
2020-09-19
Location
Red Bud, IL, USA
Airport
PVT
Aircraft
Safari S
Registration
N60WD
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Hover

Probable cause

A loss of control for reasons that could not be determined.

NTSB narrative

Witnesses observed the helicopter in a 6 to 8 ft hover when it began “spinning out of control.” It subsequently impacted a storage building before it came to rest on its left side adjacent to the building. A postimpact fire ensued and consumed the forward portion of the helicopter. A postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction; however, due to the extent of the postimpact fire, a complete examination of the helicopter was not possible. Although the witness’s report of the helicopter spinning is consistent with a loss of control, the reason for the loss of control could not be determined based on the available information.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided hover-taxiing near the storage building.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Video
  • Photos
  • 8 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents8

Related mishaps