Bell 206-L4 N917SU accident near Cedar City, Utah

Probable cause

The flight instructor's failure to maintain helicopter control while manipulating the engine governor reference rpm adjustment during hover operations, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with the ground.

NTSB analysis

The flight instructor, who was flying from the left seat, reported that during the initial hover, the helicopter’s engine governor reference rpm indicated about 104%. To adjust the governor reference rpm, the instructor reached across to the right-seat collective-mounted governor INCR/DECR switch. As he contacted the switch, the instructor failed to maintain helicopter control, and the helicopter pitched nose up, moved aft, and descended.

The flight crew reported that the helicopter contacted the ground, bounced, and began to spin out of control. Airport surveillance video showed the helicopter moving aft while descending before contacting the taxiway. The helicopter subsequently became airborne, rotated to the right, and impacted the ground. During the impact sequence, the tailboom and main rotor system separated from the helicopter.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR26LA199 for the full record.