Guimbal Cabri G2
Independence, IA — January 21, 2020
Event Information
| Date | January 21, 2020 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | CEN20CA064 |
| Event ID | 20200123X80253 |
| Location | Independence, IA |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 42.45611, -91.94527 |
| Airport | Independence Municipal Airport |
| Highest Injury | SERS |
Aircraft
| Make | Guimbal |
| Model | Cabri G2 |
| Category | HELI |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 1 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 0 |
| Total Injured | 1 |
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.
Full 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.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.