Amateur-built 162F N124CW accident near Mounds, Oklahoma

Probable cause

The student pilot’s failure to maintain control of the helicopter during a precautionary landing, which resulted in a dynamic roll over and postimpact fire.

NTSB analysis

The student pilot stated that while flying the experimental helicopter, the tail rotor kept pulling to the left. He attempted to land the helicopter to troubleshoot the issue when the skid got stuck in mud, and the helicopter rolled over. The engine’s hot exhaust caught the grass on fire, which then ignited the helicopter. The pilot and passenger egressed without issue, but the fire continued and destroyed the helicopter. The helicopter’s maintenance logbooks were onboard and were consumed by the fire. Due to the condition of the helicopter after being destroyed by fire, and the pilot not making the wreckage available, a postaccident examination was not possible.

The pilot did not submit the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report Form 6120.1.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN25LA123 for the full record.