CEN20CA064

Factual narrative

The student pilot, who was flying solo, reported that he "lost control" of the helicopter as he maneuvered over the ramp for a landing toward south and into the wind. The pilot was unable to regain directional control before the helicopter impacted an unoccupied airplane and a hangar. Airport security video footage showed the helicopter had approached the ramp in a hover-taxi heading east before it entered an increasingly rapid left spin as it drifted north toward a parked airplane and a hangar. The helicopter cabin and tail boom sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation of the helicopter. The pilot stated that the wind direction might have changed during the landing; however, a postaccident review of available weather data confirmed that the wind was likely from the south at 12-13 knots. The solo student pilot reported that he "lost control" of the helicopter as he maneuvered over the ramp for a landing toward the south into wind. The student was unable to regain control of the helicopter, and it subsequently impacted an unoccupied airplane and a hangar. Airport security video footage showed the helicopter approaching the ramp in a hover-taxi heading east before it entered an increasingly rapid left spin as it drifted north toward the airplane and hangar. A review of the video of the accident did not reveal any evidence of a bird strike or visible hydraulic systems failure. The helicopter cabin and tailboom sustained substantial damage. The student reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. The student stated that the wind direction might have changed during the landing; however, a postaccident review of available weather data revealed that the wind was likely from the south about 12 to 13 knots. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-(general)-Not attained/maintained - C
• C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Airport structure-Effect on operation - C
• C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Aircraft-Effect on operation - C
• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Student/instructed pilot - C