Sikorsky Aircraft Corp S-76D N761AF accident near Texarkana, Arkansas

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance during landing on a rooftop helipad.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that he was on approach to a hospital rooftop helipad that he had never landed at before. About 30 ft above ground level, he felt a “thump” in the pedals; the helicopter vibrated, pitched forward, rolled left, then yawed right. The pilot landed the helicopter on the helipad. After the accident the pilot discovered that the tail rotor had contacted the building. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail rotor, tail rotor drivetrain, and tail pylon. 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 CEN22LA147 for the full record.