Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain yaw control of the helicopter while hover taxiing in gusty wind conditions.
NTSB analysis
According to the pilot, while hover taxiing downwind, a gust of wind pushed the tail 90 degrees to the left, which forced the helicopter to descend into the pavement. The pilot reported that the front and rear crossover tubes between the left and right landing skid assemblies were bent, and that the tail cone was wrinkled at the fuselage attach points.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR11CA467 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 24, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Douglas, Wyoming
- Nearest airport
- Douglas Airport (DGW)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Robinson R22 Beta
- N-number
- N3070S
- Category
- Helicopter
- 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.