What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
On March 15, 2025, the pilot-in-command (PIC) and one passenger were on a personal flight under part 91 regulations. While flying over the modesto reservoir, the helicopter flew low over the water. During this maneuver, the skids of the aircraft contacted the water, leading to a crash into the reservoir that caused substantial damage. The pilot sustained minor injuries, while the passenger suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to a local hospital. The stanislaus county sheriff's department responded to the scene and secured the aircraft involved.
As the FAA filed it
ON MARCH 15, 2025, THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND (PIC) AND ONE PASSENGER WERE ON A PERSONAL FLIGHT UNDER PART 91 REGULATIONS. WHILE FLYING OVER THE MODESTO RESERVOIR, THE HELICOPTER FLEW LOW OVER THE WATER. DURING THIS MANEUVER, THE SKIDS OF THE AIRCRAFT CONTACTED THE WATER, LEADING TO A CRASH INTO THE RESERVOIR THAT CAUSED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE PILOT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, WHILE THE PASSENGER SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURIES AND WAS AIRLIFTED TO A LOCAL HOSPITAL. THE STANISLAUS COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THE SCENE AND SECURED THE AIRCRAFT INVOLVED.
NTSB investigation
The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.