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Location:
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Mobile, Alabama
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Accident Number:
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ERA26LA094
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Date & Time:
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January 8, 2026, 14:30 Local
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Registration:
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N3722T
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Aircraft:
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SLED THOMAS HELICYCLE
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Aircraft Damage:
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Substantial
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Defining Event:
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Loss of tail rotor effectiveness
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Injuries:
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1 Minor
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Flight Conducted Under:
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Part 91: General aviation - Personal
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|
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Analysis
The pilot reported that during the approach to land at an off-airport location, the helicopter entered an uncommanded right rotation. He attributed the loss of control to unfavorable winds and described the event as consistent with a loss of tail rotor effectiveness. He was unable to regain control, and the helicopter continued to descend in a spiraling right spin before it impacted the ground and rolled over. As a result, the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter 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 pilot’s failure to maintain yaw control during a crosswind approach, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness, an uncommanded spin, hard landing, and subsequent rollover.
Findings
Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot
Aircraft Yaw control - Not attained/maintained
Environmental issues Crosswind - Effect on operation
Factual Information
History of Flight
Landing Loss of tail rotor effectiveness (Defining event)
Post-impact Roll over
Pilot Information
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Certificate:
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Private
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Age:
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73,Male
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|
Airplane Rating(s):
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None
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Seat Occupied:
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Single
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Other Aircraft Rating(s):
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Helicopter
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Restraint Used:
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4-point
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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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Medical Certification:
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Class 3 With waivers/limitations
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Last FAA Medical Exam:
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December 4, 2024
|
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Occupational Pilot:
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No
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Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
|
|
|
Flight Time:
|
205 hours (Total, all aircraft), 89.9 hours (Total, this make and model), 120.7 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 1.7 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 1.4 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 0 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
|
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
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Aircraft Make:
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SLED THOMAS
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Registration:
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N3722T
|
|
Model/Series:
|
HELICYCLE
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Aircraft Category:
|
Helicopter
|
|
Year of Manufacture:
|
2003
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Amateur Built:
|
Yes
|
|
Airworthiness Certificate:
|
Experimental (Special)
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Serial Number:
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02-018
|
|
Landing Gear Type:
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None; Skid
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Seats:
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1
|
|
Date/Type of Last Inspection:
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February 15, 2016 Unknown
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Certified Max Gross Wt.:
|
850 lbs
|
|
Time Since Last Inspection:
|
|
Engines:
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1 Turbo shaft
|
|
Airframe Total Time:
|
1225.5 Hrs at time of accident
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Engine Manufacturer:
|
Solar
|
|
ELT:
|
Not installed
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Engine Model/Series:
|
T62-T-32
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|
Registered Owner:
|
On file
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Rated Power:
|
150 Horsepower
|
|
Operator:
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On file
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Operating Certificate(s) Held:
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None
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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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BFM,16 ft msl
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Distance from Accident Site:
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1 Nautical Miles
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|
Observation Time:
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14:53 Local
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Direction from Accident Site:
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350°
|
|
Lowest Cloud Condition:
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Few / 3500 ft AGL
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Visibility
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10 miles
|
|
Lowest Ceiling:
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Visibility (RVR):
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|
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Wind Speed/Gusts:
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8 knots / None
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Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
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None / None
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|
Wind Direction:
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160°
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Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
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N/A / N/A
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|
Altimeter Setting:
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29.99 inches Hg
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Temperature/Dew Point:
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23°C / 18°C
|
|
Precipitation and Obscuration:
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No Obscuration; No Precipitation
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|
|
Departure Point:
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Dauphin Island, AL (N/A)
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Type of Flight Plan Filed:
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None
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|
Destination:
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Mobile, AL
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Type of Clearance:
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VFR
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|
Departure Time:
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14:00 Local
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Type of Airspace:
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Class D
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Wreckage and Impact Information
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Crew Injuries:
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1 Minor
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Aircraft Damage:
|
Substantial
|
|
Passenger Injuries:
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N/A
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Aircraft Fire:
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None
|
|
Ground Injuries:
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N/A
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Aircraft Explosion:
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None
|
|
Total Injuries:
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1 Minor
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Latitude, Longitude:
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30.598836,-88.060708(est)
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Administrative Information
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Investigator In Charge (IIC):
|
Wait, Dennis
|
|
Additional Participating Persons:
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Christopher Campbell; FAA/FSDO; Alabama/NW, FL
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Original Publish Date:
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May 14, 2026
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|
Last Revision Date:
|
|
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=202302
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