Probable cause
The pilot’s decision to relinquish the helicopter flight controls to a non-rated passenger during a 3 ft hover.
NTSB analysis
The helicopter pilot reported that he allowed his non-rated passenger to "try his hovering skills" at 3 ft above ground level. The pilot told the passenger, "you have the aircraft," and the pilot removed his hands from the flight controls. The passenger pushed the cyclic to its forward limit, and the helicopter impacted the ground.
The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor and tail rotor drive systems, and the fuselage.
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA18CA168 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 14, 2018
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- San Antonio, Texas
- Nearest airport
- Stinson Muni (SSF)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 2
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Hughes 269
- N-number
- N11047
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 1981
- 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.