Probable cause
The pilot's misjudgment of his helicopter's position relative to a parked helicopter during a pedal turn.
NTSB analysis
According to the pilot, he made a "normal" approach to a helipad and subsequently hover-taxied to the parking area. Two other helicopters were parked on opposite sides of the parking area, and per existing procedures, the pilot hover-taxied his helicopter to the center of the parking area and commenced a pedal turn to align it with the others. About 90 degrees through the turn, a tail rotor blade from the pilot's helicopter impacted a main rotor blade tip on one of the parked helicopters, resulting in substantial damage to the tail rotor blade. The pilot subsequently completed the turn and landed without further incident. The pilot did not report any preexisting mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA15CA081 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Dec 21, 2014
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Miami Gardens, Florida
- Nearest airport
- Dolphin Stadium Helipad (0FD2)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Bell 430
- N-number
- N430WH
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 2006
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Executive or corporate
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.