# Accident 20230409008059A: Helicopteres Guimbal CABRI G2, Cahokia Heights, IL, April 9, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 9, 2023, 08:42 local time
- Place: Cahokia Heights, IL
- Airport: St Louis Downtown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Taxi
- Operating rules: Pilot school (Part 141)
- Operator: 3MYS
- Location: 38.5704° N, 90.1551° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5704&lon=-90.1551&mi=10
- Aircraft: N372PA, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N372PA-2024-12-28) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Helicopteres Guimbal CABRI G2 (registry code 9000001, https://openairdocs.org/model/helicopteres-guimbal-cabri-g2) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming O-360-J2A (registry code 42314, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-j2a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HELICOPTERES GUIMBAL CABRI G2
- Reported engine: LYCOMING O-360-J2A
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 545 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN23LA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA150) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230409008059A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

THE HELICOPTER DEPARTED THE RAMP AFTER PRACTICING TWO LIFTOFFS AND TOUCHDOWNS. THE HELICOPTER RECEIVED CLEARANCE FROM THE TOWER TO FLIGHT TAXI TO TAXIWAY A TO PRACTICE A LANDING UNDER VFR. AS THE HELICOPTER EXITED THE NON-MOVEMENT AREA, THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR, SEATED IN THE LEFT SEAT, STATED THAT HIS CYCLIC BEGAN TO "WOBBLE" FROM SIDE TO SIDE. HE STATED THAT HE STILL HAD SOME AMOUNT OF CONTROL EFFECTIVENESS. AS THE HELICOPTER MADE A LEFT TURN TO ALIGN WITH THE TAXIWAY, THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR STATED THAT HIS CYCLIC WAS "WOBBLING" A LOT MORE AND THAT HE HAD LOST ALL CONTROL EFFECTIVENESS FROM IT. THE STUDENT, IN THE RIGHT SEAT, STILL HAD CONTROL EFFECTIVENESS. AS THE HELICOPTER COMPLETED THE LEFT TURN, IT STARTED DRIFTING RIGHT. THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR KEPT TELLING THE STUDENT TO CORRECT TO THE LEFT. THE STUDENT HAD HIS CYCLIC FULL LEFT AND THE HELICOPTER KEPT DRIFTING RIGHT. AT THIS POINT THE STUDENT RELAYED THAT HIS CYCLIC WAS FROZEN AND WOULD NOT MOVE. THE HELICOPTER CONTINUED OVER THE GRASS NEXT TO THE TAXIWAY AND THE NOSE BEGAN TO OSCILLATE IN ALL DIRECTIONS.  THE HELICOPTER ROLLED TO THE LEFT CAUSING THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES TO CONTACT THE GROUND AND SETTLE ONTO ITS LEFT SIDE. THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR SECURED THE HELICOPTER AFTER THE MOVEMENT CEASED. HE EXTRICATED HIMSELF AND THEN HELPED THE STUDENT OUT OF THE HELICOPTER. THE STUDENT CLAIMED NO INJURIES. THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR HAD MINOR INJURY TO HIS LEFT HAND AS A RESULT OF IT BEING PINCHED BETWEEN THE COLLECTIVE AND GROUND. HE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL HOSPITAL.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CEN23LA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA150), Apr 9, 2023: Helicopteres Guimbal Cabri G2 (N372PA), Cahokia, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The lack of proper attachment of the cyclic control that resulted in a loss of control during a landing approach and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the improper maintenance…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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