Probable cause
The flight instructor's delayed reaction in taking control of the helicopter during a student pilot's loss of control while landing.
NTSB analysis
During an instructional flight, the student was practicing "hydraulic off" landings. The flight instructor (CFI) stated that he had to take control of the helicopter during the landing, due to the student pilot's loss of control of the helicopter's yaw and pitch. The CFI was unable to prevent the helicopter from rotating and it inadvertently struck the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to the tail boom and main rotor blades. The CFI reported no preexisting mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR15CA040 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Nov 13, 2014
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Panguitch, Utah
- Nearest airport
- Panguitch Muni (U55)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 2
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Aerospatiale AS350BA
- N-number
- N425U
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 1990
- 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.