Probable cause
A reported stuck throttle for reasons that could not be determined during postaccident examinations and subsequent loss of control during hover.
NTSB analysis
According to the pilot, he was performing the first flight after a condition inspection. He put the helicopter into a hover, noted the “throttle locked up and [the helicopter] got away” from him. The helicopter rolled onto its side and impacted the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and tailboom. Furthermore, he reported an overspeed and “hard vibration” prior to the rollover. A post-accident examination of the helicopter revealed no evidence of any pre-accident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. In addition, the throttle governor was bench tested with no anomalies noted.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA22LA106 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jan 12, 2022
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Gallatin, Tennessee
- Nearest airport
- Music City Exec (XNX)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
SAFARI 400
- N-number
- N32CM
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 2018
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Flight test
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.