Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 505 N505TZ accident near Fort Worth, Texas

Probable cause

The flight instructor’s inadequate supervision during the approach and delayed remedial action, which resulted in a loss of control.

NTSB analysis

The company’s chief flight instructor reported that during a hydraulic system training maneuver, the pilot receiving instruction established too high of a sink rate, and the helicopter bounced upon touchdown. The helicopter then yawed to the right and bounced a second time before starting a slide towards the edge of the runway. The pilot receiving instruction attempted to correct by pushing the collective full down, however, the flight instructor realized that the helicopter would not come to a stop before exiting the runway and attempted to lift the helicopter back into the air. Before the helicopter could lift off, the left skid contacted the grass, the helicopter rolled to the left, and the main rotor contacted the ground. The helicopter then rolled to the right and came to rest on its right side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor system, tail rotor system, and tail boom. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. The chief flight instructor reported the accident could have been prevented if the flight instructor would have recognized the excessive rate of descent and made the necessary control inputs.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN26LA065 for the full record.