C-FITAQP: 5) BUZZING / ACRO

Robinson R-66 | N67GA

Ekalaka, Montana

  • DTSB analysis published
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Key facts

  • DateOctober 22, 2025
  • Local time7:20 PM
  • LightNight
  • WeatherVMC
  • Phase of flightEnroute
  • People on board4
  • Fatalities4

Accident Location

City, State
Ekalaka, Montana
Latitude
45.7587
Longitude
-104.66093

Aircraft Info

N Number
N67GA
Make
Robinson
Model
R-66
Category / Class
Helicopter
Amateur Built
No

Pilot Info

Pilot in command
Bailey, Zachary Adam
Gender
Male
Certification
Commercial Pilot
IFR rating
Yes
Medical
2nd Class Medical
Flight school
No
Instructional flight
No

Analysis

Weather
VMC
Time of day
Night
Phase of flight
Enroute
Pilot error
Yes
Pilot incapacitation
No
People on board
4
PIC fatality
1
Passenger fatalities
3
Total fatalities
4
NTSB travel
Unknown

Probable Cause

THE DTSB

Pending. Crash site located in the Chalk Butte range of terrain and occurred 4 minutes after sunset in low visibility conditions. One witness saw the helicopter enter a climb and observed a piece come off it. “She stated that the helicopter then began to gain altitude, and something came off it,
after which it descended out of her line of sight. ” Likely low level aggressive maneuvering which resulted in a mass bump and loss of control.

NTSB

None yet (final report not yet published).

Recommendation

THE DTSB

Pending.

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