Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a stationary helicopter during landing. Contributing to the accident was the ground crew’s failure to ensure that the helicopter would clear the stationary helicopter.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that, while hovering the helicopter to park between three stationary helicopters, the ground crew gave him the signal for a 180° "pedal turn." As the helicopter was about to touch down, he felt a shudder in the airframe. He then immediately rolled the throttle closed and completed an emergency shutdown.
Postaccident examination revealed that the tail rotor blades struck the main blades of a stationary helicopter, which likely caused the shudder felt by the pilot.
The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail rotor and main rotor systems.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA18CA107 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jan 12, 2018
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Van Nuys, California
- Nearest airport
- Van Nuys (VNY)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Bell UH 1H
- N-number
- N205KS
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 1965
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Public aircraft
- Purpose of flight
- Positioning
Other records under this N-number
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.