Pilot Debrief

SCHWEIZER 300 C near Boonville, NC — 2022-06-23

Final reportERA22LA290
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Date
2022-06-23
Location
Boonville, NC, USA
Airport
ZEF
Aircraft
SCHWEIZER 300 C
Registration
N2158T
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The helicopter’s impact with a non-biological object, which resulted in substantial damage to a main rotor blade.

NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that he was at an enroute altitude of 1,500 ft mean sea level (500 ft above ground level), tuning a radio to the destination frequency, when he looked up there was a “drone hovering” in the path of the helicopter. He reported that it struck the main rotor disk at the 2 o’clock position and it “disintegrated.” The pilot evaluated the helicopter for vibrations or damage and elected to return to the departure airport, which was 3.5 miles away. He subsequently landed the helicopter without issue and during the postflight examination, he noted substantial damage to one of the main rotor blades. A sample was taken at the site of the main rotor blade damage and tested negative for bird DNA. A search for the unmanned aerial system was performed, however, no device was located. No Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) authorizations were requested for the area at the time of the accident. Additionally, no operational waivers had been filed with the Federal Aviation Administration for unmanned aerial system operations in the area at the time of the accident.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents5

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