Event WPR25LA189

Factual narrative

According to the operator, the instructor and pilot receiving instruction were conducting hover autorotation training over cement that was visually obstructed by a hard packed dirt surface. On the third autorotation, the pilot under instruction established a hover at a slightly higher altitude than the previous two practice iterations. During recovery, the pilot receiving instruction executed the appropriate procedures, but the helicopter began to settle faster than expected and he was unable to sufficiently reduce the rate of descent. Subsequently, the helicopter landed hard and resulted in substantial damage to the tail boom. The operator reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).

• — Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Identification/recognition-Instructor/check pilot
• — Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Use of equip/system-Student/instructed pilot
• — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface-(general)-Effect on equipment
• — Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Descent rate-Not attained/maintained
• — Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Instructor/check pilot
• — Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Student/instructed pilot