NTSB Factual Report

On February 13, 2016, about 1500 Pacific standard time, a Bell 47G-3B-1 helicopter, N1181W, sustained substantial damage while attempting to land at the Carson Airport, Carson City, Nevada. The private pilot and the pilot-rated passenger sustained minor injuries. The helicopter was registered to and operated by the pilot as a local flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from the Carson Airport about 1315.

In a written statement, the pilot reported that he had accomplished three previous take off and landings, and the helicopter was operating normally. On the fourth landing attempt, as he was transitioning to a hover, he noticed that the rotor RPM was slightly low. He attempted to raise the RPM by adding power, but did not get a response, and the helicopter settled onto the taxiway. He then pulled up on the collective to come back into a hover, but the rotor RPM was still low. He continued to try and raise the rotor RPM, but the helicopter started to yaw and drift to the right, and the right hand skid touched the ground off of the right side of the taxiway, initiating a dynamic rollover. The helicopter rolled onto its right side and came to rest in the dirt on the side of the taxiway.

The pilot stated that he was new to this helicopter, and it was likely that he allowed the rotor RPM to decay to a point that he was unable to recover. He stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient main rotor rpm, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control and a dynamic rollover.