Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the helicopter during takeoff.
NTSB analysis
The pilot of the experimental amateur-built helicopter reported that during takeoff, when the left skid was coming off the ground, he felt a small jerk, so he moved the cyclic to the left and forward. When the cyclic moved it hit the passenger’s left knee. The passenger “jerked” and the cyclic moved back to the right and the helicopter “instantaneously” rolled over to the right side and struck the ground. The pilot and the passenger were not injured, and the helicopter’s main rotor and tail boom sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions of the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA20CA319 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 10, 2020
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Kenansville, Florida
- Nearest airport
- Private Heliport (PVT)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built EXEC 162F
- N-number
- N57AN
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 2001
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
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.