Probable cause
The flight instructor's failure to maintain control of the helicopter during a simulated forced landing autorotation, which resulted in pylon whirl that substantially damaged the helicopter.
NTSB analysis
During an night instructional flight in a helicopter, the flight instructor was demonstrating a straight-in autorotation to landing following a simulated engine failure. At touchdown, the heels of the landing skids touched first and the helicopter “rocked” forward, which was followed by several more “throws” in a counterclockwise motion that became progressively more “violent.” The instructor described that the helicopter was experiencing pylon whirl and continued to manipulate the flight controls during the ground run until helicopter came to rest. The helicopter’s tailboom was substantially damaged during the accident sequence.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA19LA206 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 25, 2019
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Gainesville, Florida
- Nearest airport
- Gainesville Rgnl (GNV)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Night
Bell OH58C
- N-number
- N911GV
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 1970
- 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.