Bell OH-58A N480FT accident near Phoenix, Arizona

Preliminary information

On September 3, 2026, about 0932 mountain standard time, a Bell OH-58, N480FT, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Deer Valley, Arizona. The pilots did not sustain any injuries. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight.

The helicopter instructor reported he and a pilot-rated student departed from Phoenix Deer Valley Airport, Phoenix, Arizona to practice approaches, hovering autorotations, and autorotations with a power recovery in the local area. After completing the approaches and a hovering autorotation without incident, the instructor landed the helicopter and briefed the student about the autorotation with a power recovery procedure.

Shortly after, the instructor and the student both demonstrated a successful autorotation with a power recovery. With the instructor on the controls and the helicopter about 500 ft above the ground (agl) and 70 knots indicating, the instructor initiated the third autorotation. The instructor noted that the entry was smooth and announced the main rotor rpm settled around 100% and that the N1 needle was around 62%, at idle engine power. About 200 ft agl and 60 knots, the instructor rolled the throttle to full power and joined the rotor rpm needle with the engine's rpm needle.

As the helicopter crossed about 50 ft agl, the instructor initiated a flare and about 10-15 ft agl, he applied slight aft cyclic to slow the descent rate and terminate the recovery to a 3-5 ft agl hover. During the aft pitch control input, the low rotor RPM warning horn became audible and the instructor noted that he did not receive an engine response after he increased the throttle setting. The instructor quickly raised the collective lever to cushion the landing; however, the helicopter continued its descent and impacted terrain. Subsequently, the main rotor system separated from the mast and the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, main rotor system, and drive train.

The airplane was recovered to a secure facility for further examination.

Text from the NTSB; a preliminary report can change and names no cause. Open the NTSB docket for WPR26LA328 for the full record.