Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 N177PA accident near Grand Canyon, Arizona

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter.

NTSB analysis

The certified flight instructor and pilot under instruction completed their helicopter external load training and landed the helicopter in a clear and level spot. Both pilots exited the helicopter, unhooked the external line, and verified the helicopter was clear of any skid entanglement. Both pilots reentered the helicopter. The pilot under instruction began to apply collective to lift the helicopter off the ground. As the helicopter started to come up, the left skid lifted first and the helicopter began to roll to the right. Both pilots applied full down collective and full left cyclic but the helicopter continued to roll over on its right side. The pilot stated that the helicopter and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the external load training portion of the flight

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR10CA064 for the full record.