Probable cause
An in-flight collision with a bird while in cruise flight.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that during the enroute portion of the flight, a large bird impacted the top of the helicopter’s fuselage and main rotor, resulting in substantial damage to a pitch control link and a subsequent vibration. The pilot elected to make a precautionary landing in a nearby field and was able to land uneventfully.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA25LA027 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Oct 27, 2024
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Canal Winchester, Ohio
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1
- N-number
- N54AE
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 1978
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 135 (charter and commuter)
- Purpose of flight
- Positioning
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.