Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter during a hover which, resulted in a collision with a hangar.
NTSB analysis
The helicopter pilot reported that, while hovering in front of a hangar he erroneously increased collective pitch, panicked, and lost control of the helicopter. The helicopter subsequently impacted the top of a hanger and rolled over. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor and tail boom. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR22LA096 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Feb 11, 2022
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Fallon, Nevada
- Nearest airport
- Fallon Municipal (FLX)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Bell 47
- N-number
- N1023V
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 1959
- 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.