C-FITAQP: 7) TERRAIN COLLISION
THE DTSB
The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that there were no mechanical difficulties discovered in the post accident review, and the density altitude at the time was approximately 3300 feet. It is likely that the pilot allowed an aerodynamic blade stall in flight with excessive collective pitch and insufficient rotor speed which then caused a loss of control, and impact.
NTSB
Probable Cause issued 6/10/2026 – 26 months after the accident: A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a forced landing and a subsequent impact with terrain.
THE DTSB
The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft become aware of gross weight, density altitude and other limitations in helicopter operations that could cause a sudden and unrecoverable loss of control in flight, and maintain sufficient safety margins at all times.
NTSB
None issued. NTSB recommendations are rare and usually tied to high-profile accidents.
See the NTSB Recommendation Tracker →