Probable cause
The student pilot's loss of lateral control while practicing autorotations from a hover and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action, which resulted in a bounced landing and dynamic roll-over.
NTSB analysis
The flight instructor in the helicopter reported that the student pilot was practicing autorotations from a hover while pointing the helicopter into the wind over tall grass from about 1 ft above the ground. He added that the student "rolled off the throttle, the helicopter descended to the ground, appeared to bounce, moved slightly to the right and began a quick roll to the right." Subsequently, the helicopter pivoted on its right skid, the main rotor impacted terrain, and the helicopter rolled over to the right.
The main rotor and windscreen sustained substantial damage.
The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA17CA296 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 22, 2017
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Eden Prairie, Minnesota
- Nearest airport
- Flying Cloud (FCM)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 2
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Schweizer 269C
- N-number
- N2032S
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 2000
- 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.