Probable cause
The pilot's decision to continue the takeoff with a perceived mechanical deficiency.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported he was departing from a dolly connected to a Kubota. During the initial collective input, he believed he had a stuck tail rotor pedal but continued the takeoff attempt because he “wasn’t afraid of a stuck pedal.” As the helicopter started to slide left off the dolly, he increased collective, the helicopter spun to the left and impacted the Kubota, resulting in substantial damage to the tail rotor and tail boom. A post-accident examination was unable to determine a definitive mechanical, hydraulic or electrical malfunction or anomaly that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA21LA043 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Nov 14, 2020
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Hammonton, New Jersey
- Nearest airport
- Hammonton Muni (N81)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Aerospatiale AS355
- N-number
- N712CA
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 1987
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Business
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.