GAA20CA062

Factual narrative

The student helicopter pilot reported that during landing, the helicopter had a hydraulic failure, to which he "overreacted, causing a loss of control and subsequent roll over." The helicopter caught fire, and the pilot egressed through the left door. During a conversation with the student, he reported that he did not accomplish the helicopter manufactures Hydraulic Failure emergency procedure, because, he "didn't want to let go of the cyclic or the collective to turn off the hydraulic pressure switch." The tail struck the ground and a subsequent hard landing ensued. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and tailboom. According to FAA Aviation Safety Inspectors that interviewed the pilot directly following the accident, the pilot stated that, he overreacted by making multiple commands to the cyclic and a tail strike ensued, followed by hard landing and rollover. The hydraulic pump and the hydraulic lines were damaged during the post-accident fire. The student pilot reported that, during landing, the helicopter experienced a hydraulic failure. He added that he "overreacted" by making multiple commands to the cyclic, which resulted in a tail strike, followed by a hard landing and roll-over. The helicopter caught fire, and the student egressed through the left door. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and tailboom. According to Federal Aviation Administration inspectors who interviewed the pilot immediately following the accident, the pilot stated that he overreacted and that he did not accomplish the helicopter manufacturer's Hydraulic Failure emergency procedure because he "didn't want to let go of the cyclic or the collective to turn off the hydraulic pressure switch." The hydraulic pump and the hydraulic lines were damaged during the postaccident fire; therefore, the reason for the reported hydraulic failure could not be determined. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Use of equip/system-Student/instructed pilot - C
• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Use of policy/procedure-Student/instructed pilot - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Flight control system-(general)-Incorrect use/operation - C
• C Not determined-Not determined-(general)-(general)-Unknown/Not determined - C