Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during a pinnacle landing that resulted in a hard landing and subsequent roll over.
NTSB analysis
The flight instructor reported that during an instructional flight, he and his student were approaching a ridge line to conduct a practice pinnacle landing. The student pilot stated that as they were over the ridge line, the helicopter was struck by a wind gust, and it yawed to the right. He added left anti-torque pedal to correct the yaw, then the low RPM horn sounded, and the instructor took the flight controls. He lowered the collective and added forward cyclic to move away from terrain, however the helicopter landed hard in the snow and rolled onto its right side. The tail boom was substantially damaged. The instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR23LA147 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 8, 2023
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Midway, Utah
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA
- N-number
- N7530D
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 2004
- 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.