Bell OH-58 N902LP accident near Greensburg, Louisiana

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control and terrain clearance while hovering, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.

NTSB analysis

The private pilot reported that he lifted off in the helicopter to “about a 2-3” ft hover above the flat grassy field into the wind. The helicopter then “rolled hard to the right and rear,” the pilot attempted to arrest the lateral rolling motion by putting the collective to the full down position and applying full left cyclic input. The pilot reported the right rear skid contacted the ground, which caused a dynamic rollover. The helicopter came to rest on its right side, the pilot performed an emergency shutdown, and the occupants egressed from the helicopter without further incident. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor system, the fuselage, and the tail rotor system. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN21LA135 for the full record.