Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during landing, which resulted in a hard landing.
NTSB analysis
The pilot stated that he was approaching a landing zone on a flat pinnacle with a tailwind. The helicopter was within 50 feet of the landing area in a slow, stable, shallow approach when it encountered an updraft. When the helicopter flew out of the updraft, it abruptly descended to the ground. The helicopter landed hard, and the impact buckled the tail boom and sheared off the left landing gear skid.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR12CA118 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Feb 25, 2012
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Poway, California
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Eurocopter AS 350 B3
- N-number
- N118MB
- Category
- Helicopter
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Positioning
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.