Probable cause
The pilot’s inadvertent collision with a tree while landing at night which resulted in a hard landing.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that he was approaching to land at night when the helicopter tail rotor struck a tree. He felt the helicopter “shake a little” and noticed it was “falling.” The pilot attempted to cushion the landing by increasing collective and the helicopter came to rest on both skids upright. The helicopter fuselage and tail rotor sustained damaged during the hard landing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN21LA378 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 21, 2021
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Gonzales, Louisiana
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Night
Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II
- N-number
- N222VB
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 2002
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
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.