Pilot Debrief

AEROSPATIALE SA341G GAZELLE near Winslow, AZ — 2026-03-21

Investigation ongoingWPR26LA131
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Date
2026-03-21
Location
Winslow, AZ, USA
Airport
INW
Aircraft
AEROSPATIALE SA341G GAZELLE
Registration
N71FR
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

NTSB has not published a probable cause for this accident yet. Preliminary reports describe what happened; the cause is determined later, often 12–24 months after the event.

NTSB narrative

On March 21, 2026, about 1406 mountain daylight time, a Aerospatiale SA341G Gazelle, N71FR, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Winslow, Arizona. The pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he hired a flight instructor to conduct a cross-country flight from Boulder City Municipal Airport (BVU) Boulder City, Nevada, to Spruce Creek Airport (7FL6), Daytona Beach, Florida. The pilot reported that he landed at Winslow-Lindbergh Regional Airport (INW) to refuel the helicopter after their first leg of the cross-country trip. After the helicopter was refueled with 83 gallons of Jet-A aviation fuel, the pilot completed the tasks on a preflight checklist and start-up with no anomalies. Shortly after, the pilot reported that he lifted off the ground to a 5-foot hover and initiated a max performance takeoff from the ramp area. The pilot climbed forward to a maximum altitude of about 12 feet above the ground and then observed the maximum torque caution light flicker and illuminate. Immediately, the instructor told the pilot to lower the collective, with which the pilot slightly lowered the collective and turned the helicopter to the right. Subsequently, the helicopter settled onto the ground and landed hard. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom. The pilot added that the engine had an over-temperature event of at least 8 seconds, at over 800° C. The helicopter was recovered to a secure facility for further examination.

Preliminary NTSB coding

  • Abnormal runway contact · Takeoff
View NTSB preliminary report

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