Probable cause
The pilot's improper landing flare while practicing autorotations, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing.
NTSB analysis
The flight instructor reported that, during preparation for the pilot's helicopter commercial checkride, they were going to practice autorotation procedures. He added that, during the second autorotation, he saw that the rotor rpm had dropped significantly and that the pilot was pulling up on the collective. He immediately took command of the flight controls and attempted to lower the collective. Subsequently, the helicopter landed hard, bounced, yawed right, bounced again, and then came to rest on the right side of the runway.
The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom.
The flight instructor 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 GAA19CA121 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jan 29, 2019
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Tampa, Florida
- Nearest airport
- Tampa Executive (VDF)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Eurocopter AS 350
- N-number
- N680DG
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 2005
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Public aircraft
- 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.