Primary finding
Probable cause
The student pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control while maneuvering to land, which resulted in impact with an airplane and a hangar.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The solo student pilot reported that he "lost control" of the helicopter as he maneuvered over the ramp for a landing toward the south into wind. The student was unable to regain control of the helicopter, and it subsequently impacted an unoccupied airplane and a hangar. Airport security video footage showed the helicopter approaching the ramp in a hover-taxi heading east before it entered an increasingly rapid left spin as it drifted north toward the airplane and hangar. A review of the video of the accident did not reveal any evidence of a bird strike or visible hydraulic systems failure. The helicopter cabin and tailboom sustained substantial damage. The student reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. The student stated that the wind direction might have changed during the landing; however, a postaccident review of available weather data revealed that the wind was likely from the south about 12 to 13 knots.
Source record
Factual narrative
The student pilot, who was flying solo, reported that he "lost control" of the helicopter as he maneuvered over the ramp for a landing toward south and into the wind. The pilot was unable to regain directional control before the helicopter impacted an unoccupied airplane and a hangar. Airport security video footage showed the helicopter had approached the ramp in a hover-taxi heading east before it entered an increasingly rapid left spin as it drifted north toward a parked airplane and a hangar. The helicopter cabin and tail boom sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation of the helicopter. The pilot stated that the wind direction might have changed during the landing; however, a postaccident review of available weather data confirmed that the wind was likely from the south at 12-13 knots.