Probable cause
The student pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control while maneuvering in a hover.
NTSB analysis
According to the student pilot, while in a hover before departure, he attempted a 360-degree right pedal turn. About 180 degrees into the turn, the rotation speed started to increase. The pilot thought his reaction to the increased rotation speed was not as decisive as it should have been, and the helicopter departing controlled flight. The pilot stated that he did not press on the left pedal; instead, he released pressure on the right pedal. The helicopter came to rest upright after impacting the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to the tail rotor drive shaft and boom. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR13CA160 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 25, 2013
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Rialto, California
- Nearest airport
- Rialto Municipal Airport (L67)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Hughes 269C
- N-number
- N90570
- Category
- Helicopter
- 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.