Probable cause
The student pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control during a hover pedal turn.
NTSB analysis
The solo student pilot reported that the purpose of his flight was to practice hover taxi. During a right pedal turn, about 3 to 5 ft above the ground, the helicopter rolled onto its side.
Postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed substantial damage to the tailboom.
The pilot 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 GAA17CA555 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 21, 2017
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Fayetteville, North Carolina
- Nearest airport
- Fayetteville Rgnl/Grannis Fiel (FAY)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built Safari
- N-number
- N186KW
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 2009
- 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.