NTSB Final Report: Young, AZ
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Location:
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Young, Arizona
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Accident Number:
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WPR26LA172
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Date & Time:
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April 29, 2026, 08:00 Local
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Registration:
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N407BB
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Aircraft:
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Bell 407
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Aircraft Damage:
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Substantial
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Defining Event:
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Tailstrike
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Injuries:
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1 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 during a personal flight in the helicopter, he made an approach to land in mountainous terrain. While landing, the tail rotor and vertical stabilizer struck tree stump and the helicopter touched down on the uneven surface and came to rest upright. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail rotor and vertical stabilizer.
The pilot reported that there were no preimpact 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 clearance from a tree stump during landing in mountainous terrain.
Findings
Factual Information
History of Flight
Pilot Information
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Certificate:
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Private
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Age:
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65,Male
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Airplane Rating(s):
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None
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Seat Occupied:
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Right
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Other Aircraft Rating(s):
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Helicopter
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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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Medical Certification:
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Class 3 With waivers/limitations
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Last FAA Medical Exam:
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September 15, 2025
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Occupational Pilot:
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Yes
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Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
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January 29, 2026
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Flight Time:
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(Estimated) 6000 hours (Total, all aircraft), 5300 hours (Total, this make and model), 5950 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 50 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 20 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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N407BB
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Model/Series:
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407
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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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Airworthiness Certificate:
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Normal
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Serial Number:
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53603
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Landing Gear Type:
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None; Skid
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Seats:
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7
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Date/Type of Last Inspection:
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Certified Max Gross Wt.:
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5250 lbs
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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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5350 Hrs
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Engine Manufacturer:
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ROLLS-ROYCE
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ELT:
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C91 installed, activated, aided in locating accident
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Engine Model/Series:
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250-C47B
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Registered Owner:
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BRAVO BRAVO LLC
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Rated Power:
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675 Horsepower
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Operator:
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BRAVO BRAVO LLC
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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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KPAN,5158 ft msl
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Distance from Accident Site:
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13 Nautical Miles
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Observation Time:
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07:55 Local
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Direction from Accident Site:
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297°
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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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/ None
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Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
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/
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Wind Direction:
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Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
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/
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Altimeter Setting:
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30.14 inches Hg
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Temperature/Dew Point:
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15°C / -7°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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Chandler, AZ (P19)
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Type of Flight Plan Filed:
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None
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Destination:
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Chandler, AZ (P19)
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Type of Clearance:
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VFR
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Departure Time:
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06:00 Local
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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 Injuries:
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Aircraft Fire:
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None
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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 None
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Latitude, Longitude:
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34.159167,-111.10334(est)
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Administrative Information
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Investigator In Charge (IIC):
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Hicks, Michael
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Additional Participating Persons:
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John Kautz; FAA; Scottsdale, AZ
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Original Publish Date:
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July 1, 2026
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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=202911
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