Robinson Helicopter Co R66 N49XB accident near Duson, Louisiana

Probable cause

The uncertified pilot’s failure to maintain control of the helicopter when encountering a wind gust while hovering to land.

NTSB analysis

The uncertificated pilot reported that he was hovering to land on a concrete driveway near his hangar when he encountered a wind gust. The pilot subsequently lost control of the helicopter and it nosed over and struck the driveway. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor system and the tail rotor. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported he’d flown the helicopter from a maintenance facility to his hangar without the supervision of a flight instructor.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN21LA154 for the full record.