The helicopter pilot reported that he was maneuvering at a low altitude in an attempt to net an elk near Heber City, Utah.
When the helicopter was above the elk, his attention was immediately focused forward due to a small rise in terrain.
He pitched the helicopter’s nose up, and the helicopter started to shake and spin. Subsequently, it hit the ground, the right skid broke, and the helicopter came to rest on its right side.
Post-accident examination revealed that the tail rotor had hit the elk when the pilot pitched the helicopter’s nose up.
The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom and rotor.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from an elk while maneuvering at a low altitude.
NTSB Identification: GAA18CA127
This February 2018 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
I wonder if he had a tag for the elk and if it was in season?
Not a rotor wing pilot. Wondering about the NTSB…. The pilot is close to, or is in hovering mode (as I understand it from watching some Youtube presentations on rotor craft with downwash “stall”).
So the pilot sees a terrain problem and has to arrest his forward motion. I don’t think this was a rev-up and pull up (with power) for a climb. So I’m wondering if this was that stall situation that I had see described relative to a another rotor-wing CFIT problem.
I’d love to hear from rotor wing pilots about this type of problem.
Did he get the elk? Crazy way to hunt.
Quartered and tenderized.!
I think the elk bagged him.
Wasn’t there an insurance commercial that featured this?