What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
Pilot was flying the helicopter, for personal use, was landing in a clearing on a mountain range in Young, AZ. When during the landing sequence he struck a small tree with the tail rotor. He was still about 3-5 feet off the ground, when tail rotor struck, and he completed the landing fast due to lost of the tail controls.
As the FAA filed it
PILOT WAS FLYING THE HELICOPTER, FOR PERSONAL USE, WAS LANDING IN A CLEARING ON A MOUNTAIN RANGE IN YOUNG, AZ. WHEN DURING THE LANDING SEQUENCE HE STRUCK A SMALL TREE WITH THE TAIL ROTOR. HE WAS STILL ABOUT 3-5 FEET OFF THE GROUND, WHEN TAIL ROTOR STRUCK, AND HE COMPLETED THE LANDING FAST DUE TO LOST OF THE TAIL CONTROLS.
NTSB investigation
The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.