Probable cause
The student pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control during a hover.
NTSB analysis
The student pilot reported that, while hovering the helicopter, a wind gust picked up the helicopter and pushed it to the left. He attempted to recover, but the skid impacted the ground, and the helicopter rolled onto its left side.
The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the windscreen and tailboom.
The student reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 5 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 340° at 4 knots.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA18CA543 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 8, 2018
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Highgate, Vermont
- Nearest airport
- Franklin County State (FSO)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built SAFARI
- N-number
- N699WC
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 2009
- 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.