Guimbal CABRI G2 N715RK

Summary

On 21 January 2020 at about 22:15 local time, a Guimbal CABRI G2 registered N715RK, operated by University of Dubuque, was involved in an accident near Independence, Iowa, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

21 January 2020 at 22:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Independence, Iowa, United States

Nearest airport

Independence Municipal Airport (IIB)

Coordinates

42.4561, -91.9453

Aircraft

Guimbal CABRI G2

Registration

N715RK

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2019

Engines

1

Operator

University of Dubuque

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Monticello → Independence

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN20CA064

1 person was seriously injured.

The student pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control while maneuvering to land, which resulted in impact with an airplane and a hangar.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The solo student pilot reported that he "lost control" of the helicopter as he maneuvered over the ramp for a landing toward the south into wind. The student was unable to regain control of the helicopter, and it subsequently impacted an unoccupied airplane and a hangar. Airport security video footage showed the helicopter approaching the ramp in a hover-taxi heading east before it entered an increasingly rapid left spin as it drifted north toward the airplane and hangar. A review of the video of the accident did not reveal any evidence of a bird strike or visible hydraulic systems failure. The helicopter cabin and tailboom sustained substantial damage. The student reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. The student stated that the wind direction might have changed during the landing; however, a postaccident review of available weather data revealed that the wind was likely from the south about 12 to 13 knots.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.