Bell OH-58A N707EE

Summary

On 23 August 2025 at about 15:15 local time, a Bell OH-58A registered N707EE was involved in an accident near Caseville, Michigan, United States. 3 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

23 August 2025 at 15:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Caseville, Michigan, United States

Coordinates

43.9308, -83.2735

Aircraft

Bell OH-58A

Registration

N707EE

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1972

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN25LA337

1 person had minor injuries.

The front seat passenger’s inadvertent movement of the cyclic control resulting in a dynamic rollover after landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to leave the dual flight controls installed with a non-pilot passenger in the front seat.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that while on a local flight he noticed a squall line approaching and elected to return to the private strip from which he had departed. During the approach, rain intensity increased, and the wind began gusting to about 15 knots. The pilot landed the helicopter, lowered the collective, and reduced power. While the main rotor was turning about 420 rpm, the helicopter suddenly rolled over onto its right side, resulting in substantial damage to the main rotor system and fuselage. The pilot reported that the dynamic rollover was likely caused by the front seat passenger inadvertently contacting the cyclic control while turning to speak with the rear seat passenger. The OH-58A flight manual notes that when carrying non-rated passengers unfamiliar with helicopter operation, the pilot should evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of stowing the copilot controls or accepting the potential hazard of leaving them installed. The Federal Aviation Administration Helicopter Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-21B) states, “If possible, remove front passenger flight controls and ensure all passenger personal items, such as cameras and mobile phones, are secure.” Bell Helicopter Operational Safety Notice GEN-20-50 advises that pilots emphasize avoidance of flight and engine controls during preflight briefings, especially when dual controls are installed, and further notes that removing the dual controls, if installed, remains an option to prevent inadvertent interference. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.