Probable cause
The student pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control which resulted in impact with the ground.
NTSB analysis
The operator reported that the student pilot had completed three solo touch and go landings and was returning to land on the ramp. While approaching the parking area, he was distracted by two aircraft on the ramp, and the helicopter began an uncontrolled yaw. The student pilot lowered the collective and arrested the yaw, but as the helicopter entered ground effect, he raised the collective, and the uncontrolled yaw resumed. The helicopter impacted the ground and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, main rotor, and tail rotor.
The operator 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 CEN24LA005 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Oct 2, 2023
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Cahokia Heights, Illinois
- Nearest airport
- St. Louis Downtown Airport (CPS)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Helicopteres Guimbal CABRI G2
- N-number
- N354MH
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 2016
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
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.