Probable cause
The pilot landed the helicopter on unsuitable terrain, which resulted in a rollover.
NTSB analysis
The pilot was conducting an off-airport landing in a helicopter. After landing, the pilot lowered the collective to transfer the weight to the skids, the left skid slid into a deep, overgrown rut, and the helicopter to rolled onto its left side. The rotor blades impacted the ground and sustained substantial damage. Also, the left side of the fuselage was crushed inward, and the tail rotor drive shaft fractured.
In the recommendation section of the NTSB Accident/Incident Reporting Form 6120.1, the pilot stated that the accident may have been prevented if he had looked closer at the landing site.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN21LA081 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Nov 7, 2020
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Rhame, North Dakota
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Schweizer 269C
- N-number
- N2081G
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 2003
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Other work use
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.