Event ANC08CA011

Factual narrative

The solo commercial certificated pilot was conducting a low pass over a beach looking for an appropriate landing spot for the helicopter under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. In a written statement, the pilot reported he was making a low pass over the landing area when a sudden gust of wind caused the helicopter to pitch up, and the tail rotor struck an unknown object. He reported that the helicopter yawed to the right, descended, and the skid struck the ground. According to the pilot, the helicopter came to rest upright, but sustained damage to the main rotor system, tail cone, and rotor mast, in addition to the tail rotor. He reported there were no known mechanical problems with the helicopter prior to the accident. The solo commercial certificated pilot was conducting a low pass over a beach looking for an appropriate landing spot for the helicopter under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. In a written statement, the pilot reported he was making a low pass over the landing area when a sudden gust of wind caused the helicopter to pitch up, and the tail rotor struck an unknown object. He reported that the helicopter yawed to the right, descended, and the skid struck the ground. According to the pilot, the helicopter came to rest upright, but sustained damage to the main rotor system, tail cone, and rotor mast, in addition to the tail rotor. He reported there were no known mechanical problems with the helicopter prior to the accident. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12