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Location:
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Caseville, Michigan
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Accident Number:
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CEN25LA337
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Date & Time:
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August 23, 2025, 11:15 Local
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Registration:
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N707EE
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Aircraft:
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Bell OH-58A
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Aircraft Damage:
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Substantial
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Defining Event:
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Dynamic rollover
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Injuries:
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1 Minor, 2 None
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Flight Conducted Under:
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Part 91: General aviation - Personal
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Analysis
The pilot reported that while on a local flight he noticed a squall line approaching and elected to return to the private strip from which he had departed. During the approach, rain intensity increased, and the wind began gusting to about 15 knots. The pilot landed the helicopter, lowered the collective, and reduced power. While the main rotor was turning about 420 rpm, the helicopter suddenly rolled over onto its right side, resulting in substantial damage to the main rotor system and fuselage.
The pilot reported that the dynamic rollover was likely caused by the front seat passenger inadvertently contacting the cyclic control while turning to speak with the rear seat passenger.
The OH-58A flight manual notes that when carrying non-rated passengers unfamiliar with helicopter operation, the pilot should evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of stowing the copilot controls or accepting the potential hazard of leaving them installed.
The Federal Aviation Administration Helicopter Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-21B) states, “If possible, remove front passenger flight controls and ensure all passenger personal items, such as cameras and mobile phones, are secure.”
Bell Helicopter Operational Safety Notice GEN-20-50 advises that pilots emphasize avoidance of flight and engine controls during preflight briefings, especially when dual controls are installed, and further notes that removing the dual controls, if installed, remains an option to prevent inadvertent interference.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The front seat passenger’s inadvertent movement of the cyclic control resulting in a dynamic rollover after landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to leave the dual flight controls installed with a non-pilot passenger in the front seat.
Findings
Aircraft Control column section - Unintentional use/operation
Personnel issues Knowledge of equipment - Passenger
Aircraft Lateral/bank control - Not attained/maintained
Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot
Personnel issues (general) - Pilot
Factual Information
History of Flight
Standing-engine(s) shutdown Dynamic rollover (Defining event)
Pilot Information
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Certificate:
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Airline transport
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Age:
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70,Male
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Airplane Rating(s):
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Single-engine land; Single-engine
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Seat Occupied:
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Right
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sea; Multi-engine land
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|
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Other Aircraft Rating(s):
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Helicopter
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Restraint Used:
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Lap only
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Instrument Rating(s):
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Airplane
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Second Pilot Present:
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No
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Instructor Rating(s):
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Airplane multi-engine; Airplane
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Toxicology Performed:
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single-engine; Helicopter;
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Instrument airplane
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Medical Certification:
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Class 1 With waivers/limitations
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Last FAA Medical Exam:
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October 17, 2024
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Occupational Pilot:
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Yes
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Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
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March 20, 2025
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Flight Time:
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18200 hours (Total, all aircraft), 380 hours (Total, this make and model), 17800 hours (Pilot In
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|
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Command, all aircraft), 165 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 48 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)
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Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
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Aircraft Make:
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Bell
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Registration:
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N707EE
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Model/Series:
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OH-58A
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Aircraft Category:
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Helicopter
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Year of Manufacture:
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1972
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Amateur Built:
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Airworthiness Certificate:
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Experimental (Special)
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Serial Number:
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72-21159
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Landing Gear Type:
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Skid
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Seats:
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5
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Date/Type of Last
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March 12, 2025 Annual
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Certified Max Gross Wt.:
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3000 lbs
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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 Turbo shaft
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Airframe Total Time:
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3914.1 Hrs as of last
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Engine Manufacturer:
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Allison
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|
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inspection
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ELT:
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Not installed
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Engine Model/Series:
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T63-A720
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Registered Owner:
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On file
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Rated Power:
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425 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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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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KBAX,766 ft msl
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Distance from Accident Site:
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16 Nautical Miles
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Observation Time:
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11:15 Local
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Direction from Accident Site:
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129°
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Lowest Cloud Condition:
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Scattered / 2000 ft AGL
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Visibility
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10 miles
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Lowest Ceiling:
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Broken / 3600 ft AGL
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Visibility (RVR):
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Wind Speed/Gusts:
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7 knots / None
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Turbulence Type
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/
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Forecast/Actual:
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Wind Direction:
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220°
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Turbulence Severity
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/
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Forecast/Actual:
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Altimeter Setting:
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29.86 inches Hg
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Temperature/Dew Point:
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21°C / 18°C
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Precipitation and Obscuration:
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No Obscuration; No Precipitation
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Departure Point:
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Caseville, MI
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Type of Flight Plan Filed:
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|
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Destination:
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Caseville, MI
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Type of Clearance:
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None
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Departure Time:
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Type of Airspace:
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Class G
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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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Substantial
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Passenger
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1 Minor, 1 None
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Aircraft Fire:
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None
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Injuries:
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|
|
|
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Ground Injuries:
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|
Aircraft Explosion:
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None
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Total Injuries:
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1 Minor, 2 None
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Latitude,
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43.930752,-83.273537(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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Rutt, Brian
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Additional Participating
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David Zwicker; FAA - East Michigan FSDO; Bellville, MI
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Persons:
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Original Publish Date:
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December 11, 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=200844
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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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