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Location:
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Mounds, Oklahoma
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Accident Number:
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CEN25LA123
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Date & Time:
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March 13, 2025, 17:45 Local
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Registration:
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N124CW
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Aircraft:
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CALDWELL C W 162F
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Aircraft Damage:
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Destroyed
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Defining Event:
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Dynamic rollover
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Injuries:
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1 Minor, 1 None
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Flight Conducted Under:
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Part 91: General aviation - Personal
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Analysis
The student pilot stated that while flying the experimental helicopter, the tail rotor kept pulling to the left. He attempted to land the helicopter to troubleshoot the issue when the skid got stuck in mud, and the helicopter rolled over. The engine’s hot exhaust caught the grass on fire, which then ignited the helicopter. The pilot and passenger egressed without issue, but the fire continued and destroyed the helicopter. The helicopter’s maintenance logbooks were onboard and were consumed by the fire. Due to the condition of the helicopter after being destroyed by fire, and the pilot not making the wreckage available, a postaccident examination was not possible.
The pilot did not submit the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report Form 6120.1.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The student pilot’s failure to maintain control of the helicopter during a precautionary landing, which resulted in a dynamic roll over and postimpact fire.
Findings
Aircraft (general) - Not attained/maintained
Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot
Factual Information
History of Flight
Landing Dynamic rollover (Defining event)
Pilot Information
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Certificate:
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Student
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Age:
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48,Male
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Airplane Rating(s):
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None
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Seat Occupied:
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Unknown
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Other Aircraft Rating(s):
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None
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Restraint Used:
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Unknown
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Instrument Rating(s):
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None
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Second Pilot Present:
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No
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Instructor Rating(s):
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None
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Toxicology Performed:
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|
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Medical Certification:
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None None
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Last FAA Medical Exam:
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May 7, 2024
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Occupational Pilot:
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No
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Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
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February 13, 2025
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Flight Time:
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|
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Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
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Aircraft Make:
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CALDWELL C W
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Registration:
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N124CW
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Model/Series:
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162F
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Aircraft Category:
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Helicopter
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Year of Manufacture:
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2004
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Amateur Built:
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Yes
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Airworthiness Certificate:
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Experimental (Special)
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Serial Number:
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6855
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Landing Gear Type:
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Skid
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Seats:
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2
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Date/Type of Last
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Unknown
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Certified Max Gross Wt.:
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|
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Inspection:
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|
|
|
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Time Since Last Inspection:
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Engines:
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1 Reciprocating
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Airframe Total Time:
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Engine Manufacturer:
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Rotorway
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ELT:
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Not installed
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Engine Model/Series:
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R1-162F
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Registered Owner:
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On file
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Rated Power:
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150 Horsepower
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Operator:
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On file
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Operating Certificate(s)
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None
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|
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Held:
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Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
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Conditions at Accident Site:
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Visual (VMC)
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Condition of Light:
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Day
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Observation Facility, Elevation:
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KRVS,620 ft msl
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Distance from Accident Site:
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11 Nautical Miles
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Observation Time:
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17:53 Local
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Direction from Accident Site:
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19°
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Lowest Cloud Condition:
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Clear
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Visibility
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10 miles
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Lowest Ceiling:
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None
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Visibility (RVR):
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Wind Speed/Gusts:
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9 knots / None
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Turbulence Type
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/
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Forecast/Actual:
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|
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Wind Direction:
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180°
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Turbulence Severity
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/
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Forecast/Actual:
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|
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Altimeter Setting:
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29.61 inches Hg
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Temperature/Dew Point:
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28°C / 2°C
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Precipitation and Obscuration:
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No Obscuration; No Precipitation
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|
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Departure Point:
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|
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
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None
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Destination:
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|
Type of Clearance:
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Unknown
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Departure Time:
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|
Type of Airspace:
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Unknown
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Wreckage and Impact Information
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Crew Injuries:
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1 None
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Aircraft Damage:
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Destroyed
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Passenger
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1 Minor
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Aircraft Fire:
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On-ground
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Injuries:
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|
|
|
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Ground Injuries:
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N/A
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Aircraft Explosion:
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None
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Total Injuries:
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1 Minor, 1 None
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Latitude,
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35.869745,-96.061985(est)
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|
|
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Longitude:
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|
Administrative Information
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Investigator In Charge (IIC):
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Lindberg, Joshua
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Additional Participating
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Donald Bell; FAA; Oklahoma City, OK
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Persons:
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|
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Original Publish Date:
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June 5, 2025
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Last Revision Date:
|
|
|
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Investigation Class:
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Class 4
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Note:
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The NTSB did not travel to the scene of this accident.
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Investigation Docket:
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https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199860
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|
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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is an independent federal agency charged by Congress with investigating every civil aviation accident in the United States and significant events in other modes of transportation— railroad, transit, highway, marine, pipeline, and commercial space. We determine the probable causes of the accidents and events we investigate, and issue safety recommendations aimed at preventing future occurrences. In addition, we conduct transportation safety research studies and offer information and other assistance to family members and survivors for each accident or event we investigate. We also serve as the appellate authority for enforcement actions involving aviation and mariner certificates issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and US Coast Guard, and we adjudicate appeals of civil penalty actions taken by the FAA.
The NTSB does not assign fault or blame for an accident or incident; rather, as specified by NTSB regulation, “accident/incident investigations are fact-finding proceedings with no formal issues and no adverse parties … and are not conducted for the purpose of determining the rights or liabilities of any person” (Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations section 831.4). Assignment of fault or legal liability is not relevant to the NTSB’s statutory mission to improve transportation safety by investigating accidents and incidents and issuing safety recommendations. In addition, statutory language prohibits the admission into evidence or use of any part of an NTSB report related to an accident in a civil action for damages resulting from a matter mentioned in the report (Title 49 United States Code section 1154(b)). A factual report that may be admissible under 49 United States Code section 1154(b) is available here.
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