Rabe Richard EXEC 162F N60932

Summary

On 16 December 2023 at about 16:37 local time, a Rabe Richard EXEC 162F registered N60932 was involved in an accident near Tuscumbia, Alabama, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

16 December 2023 at 16:37

Classification

Accident

Location

Tuscumbia, Alabama, United States

Coordinates

34.7107, -87.7251

Aircraft

Rabe Richard EXEC 162F

Registration

N60932

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2000

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

Unk

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA24LA083

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the helicopter, which resulted in the right skid contacting the ground and a subsequent rollover.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The student pilot was practicing hovering without the supervision of a flight instructor. The pilot reported that the winds were gusty and he estimated the surface winds to be about 10 to 15 mph. The pilot stated he started to drift and attempted to make a turn; during the turn, the pilot realized he was too close to some objects, and he began to panic. The pilot lowered the collective and the back right skid contacted the ground, after which he pulled up on the collective and lost control of the helicopter. Subsequently, the helicopter rolled over into a ditch; the pilot evacuated and a post-accident fire ensued, resulting in substantial damage to the helicopter. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.