What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
(-23) Investigation indicated aircraft impacted with terrain due to loss of control. Witness indicated that the aircraft descended at an approximately 60 degree angle at a high rate of speed. Witness stated that he heard a loud bang just before impact and saw something black fly off. Witness said the rotor appeared to be turning slowly prior to the crash. Coning of rotor was discovered at the crash site. Post crash inspection of the wreckage indicated control continuity and that the engine was making power PRI0R to impact. However, one of three propeller blades was not found which may have been hit by the rotor. Impact marks on the rudder indicated that the rotor had struck the rudder.
As the FAA filed it
(-23) INVESTIGATION INDICATED AIRCRAFT IMPACTED WITH TERRAIN DUE TO LOSS OF CONTROL. WITNESS INDICATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED AT AN APPROXIMATELY 60 DEGREE ANGLE AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. WITNESS STATED THAT HE HEARD A LOUD BANG JUST BEFORE IMPACT AND SAW SOMETHING BLACK FLY OFF. WITNESS SAID THE ROTOR APPEARED TO BE TURNING SLOWLY PRIOR TO THE CRASH. CONING OF ROTOR WAS DISCOVERED AT THE CRASH SITE. POST CRASH INSPECTION OF THE WRECKAGE INDICATED CONTROL CONTINUITY AND THAT THE ENGINE WAS MAKING POWER PRI0R TO IMPACT. HOWEVER, ONE OF THREE PROPELLER BLADES WAS NOT FOUND WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN HIT BY THE ROTOR. IMPACT MARKS ON THE RUDDER INDICATED THAT THE ROTOR HAD STRUCK THE RUDDER.
NTSB investigation
The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.