Pilot Debrief

MD HELICOPTER 369 near Chemehuevi Valley, CA — 2020-09-22

Final reportWPR20LA323
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Date
2020-09-22
Location
Chemehuevi Valley, CA, USA
Airport
49X
Aircraft
MD HELICOPTER 369
Registration
N509CG
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control during an approach with a gusting variable wind, which resulted in an impact with terrain.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, he was decelerating the helicopter while on approach to the runway with a gusting variable wind when the helicopter unexpectedly yawed to the right. He applied full left anti-torque pedal input to no avail, so he applied forward cyclic to increase forward airspeed, but the helicopter continued to spin clockwise. He immediately reduced power to land, but the left skid struck a bush and the helicopter impacted terrain and rolled over, coming to rest on its left side. The fuselage and the tail boom were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents2

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