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N73224 accident description

Nevada map... Nevada list
Crash location 35.488611°N, 115.000000°W
Nearest city Searchlight, NV
35.465269°N, 114.919701°W
4.8 miles away
Tail number N73224
Accident date 18 Oct 2015
Aircraft type Bell 47G
Additional details: None

NTSB Factual Report

The pilot of a helicopter reported that during a 10 foot hover, he encountered a gust of wind and felt the tail rotor impact a tree. The pilot initiated an autorotation, but the main rotor impacted the tail boom during the descent and the helicopter rolled over after touchdown. The main rotor and tail boom were substantially damaged.

The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from a tree during hover flight.

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