Pilot Debrief

BELL 407 near Jacksonville, FL — 2026-04-11

Final reportERA26LA170
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Date
2026-04-11
Location
Jacksonville, FL, USA
Airport
CRG
Aircraft
BELL 407
Registration
N314JP
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s improper recovery from a practice autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s inadequate supervision of the pilot receiving the instruction.

Contributing factors

Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s inadequate supervision of the pilot receiving the instruction.

NTSB narrative

The pilot and flight instructor were conducting a helicopter training flight using night vision goggles. The training included multiple hovering and straight-in touchdown autorotation maneuvers. The flight instructor stated that during the last touchdown autorotation landing the approach was normal. He continued that the pilot conducted a good deceleration flare but applied the initial collective too early resulting in rotor rpm decay. The helicopter landed hard on the heel of the skids while applying aft cyclic. The main rotor blades contacted both vertical stabilizers and the tailboom resulting in substantial damage. The operator reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents4

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