# NTSB investigations: Settling with power/vortex ring state

NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports.

## Latest cases

- [NTSB ANC25LA099](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA099.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Petersville, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 29, 2025 · N74435 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s exceedance of the helicopter’s available power while landing in a remote confined area, which resulted in rotor droop and a hard landing.
- [NTSB ERA24LA327](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA327.md): Enstrom 280FX · Russellville, KY · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 27, 2024 · N280D · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s failure to maintain sufficient rotor rpm while maneuvering the helicopter low to the ground, which resulted in a loss of control.
- [NTSB ERA24LA287](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA287.md): Airbus Helicopters AS350 · Sanford, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 27, 2024 · N174SC · Substantial damage
  > The helicopter pilot’s improper maneuvering at low altitude in gusty wind conditions, which resulted in the helicopter entering a vortex ring state, and hard landing during a subsequent autorotation.
- [NTSB WPR23LA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA061.md): Eurocopter EC 130 B4 · Waimea, HI · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 8, 2022 · N130WS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of helicopter control on approach to land due to entering a vortex ring state condition, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB CEN22LA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA033.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Freer, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 10, 2021 · N7198A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s encounter with ‘settling with power’ while maneuvering at a low altitude, which resulted in a rapid descent and subsequent hard landing.
- [NTSB WPR21LA236](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA236.md): Bell UH-1H · Townsend, MT · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 15, 2021 · N398M · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control after an encounter with settling with power during approach at an altitude that was too low for recovery, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB ERA21LA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA040.md): Bell 206 · Raleigh, NC · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 8, 2020 · N123NC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of helicopter control after entry into vortex ring state, which resulted in main rotor blade contact with the tailboom, and impact with the ground.
- [NTSB ERA20LA273](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA273.md): Eurocopter EC130 · Knoxville, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 3, 2020 · N55GJ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's entry into vortex ring state and his inability to arrest the helicopter's descent while maneuvering for landing.
- [NTSB GAA19CA345](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA345.md): S M & T UH · Northway, AK · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 10, 2019 · N64771 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain a proper descent rate during landing, which resulted in impact with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA19WA167](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19WA167.md): Bell 206 · Sabanalarga, Colombia · Accident · No injuries · Foreign investigation · Apr 30, 2019 · HK3321 · Substantial damage
  > The government of Colombia has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a BELL 206 helicopter that occurred on April 30, 2019. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Colombia's investigation under the provisions…
- [NTSB ERA19TA153](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19TA153.md): Robinson R22 · Bradenton Beach, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Final report · Apr 13, 2019 · N689M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to execute a low altitude turn that resulted in a strong tailwind and to reduce the airspeed to 0 knots and the flight instructor's diverted attention and inadequate monitoring, which resulted in the helicopter settling with…
- [NTSB GAA18CA430](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA430.md): Robinson R44 · Okawville, IL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 9, 2018 · N944DC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper preflight weight and balance calculation, which resulted in his operating the helicopter over its maximum gross takeoff weight and in its subsequent failure to climb.
- [NTSB CEN17LA192](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA192.md): Robinson Helicopter R66 · Canon City, CO · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 20, 2017 · N778TL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of helicopter control on approach to land due to a vortex ring state (settling with power) condition, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB ERA16LA159](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA159.md): Eurocopter France AS350 · Jasper, GA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 15, 2016 · N561AM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of helicopter control due to vortex ring state, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to conduct the landing approach with a tailwind.
- [NTSB CEN15LA224](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA224.md): Enstrom F-28F · Argyle, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 6, 2015 · N8011Q · Substantial damage
  > The pilot and flight instructor's inadvertent encounter with settling with power during a confined area takeoff at an altitude that was too low for recovery.
- [NTSB GAA15CA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA032.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Fort Davis, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 3, 2015 · N8363D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter during flight, which resulted in the helicopter impacting terrain.
- [NTSB CEN15FA164](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15FA164.md): Airbus Helicopters (Eurocopte EC-130-B4 · St Louis, MO · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 7, 2015 · N356AM · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to land during unfavorable wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of control due to settling with power. Contributing to the accident were the lack of an adequate approach path due to numerous obstructions and the lack of available…
- [NTSB WPR15CA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15CA063.md): Eurocopter AS 350 B2 Ecureuil · Bicknell, UT · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 16, 2014 · N352SL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to prevent the helicopter from settling with power while maneuvering at a low altitude, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent hard landing.
- [NTSB WPR14FA324](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14FA324.md): S.N.I.A.S. AS350B · Tahoma, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 1, 2014 · N3597T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of helicopter control due to settling with power while maneuvering for takeoff.
- [NTSB WPR14CA290](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA290.md): Bell 47K · Kingston, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 11, 2014 · N88771 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the landing approach, which resulted in an excessive descent angle and settling with power.
- [NTSB ANC14CA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC14CA042.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Coldfoot, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 18, 2014 · N74713 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate main rotor rpm while maneuvering at a low altitude, which resulted in an emergency landing on uneven terrain.
- [NTSB CEN14CA252](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA252.md): Aerospatiale AS 365 N2 Dauphin · Constantine, MI · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 25, 2014 · N365WM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of control while entering a vortex ring state (settling with power) condition, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB CEN14CA082](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA082.md): Sikorsky S 76B · Port Fourchon, LA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 5, 2013 · N707MY · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of control of the helicopter when it entered a settling with power condition during sudden gusty wind conditions on takeoff resulting in the helicopter subsequently impacting terrain.
- [NTSB WPR13LA303](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA303.md): Bell 206L-3 · Missoula, MT · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 28, 2013 · N868H · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to prevent the helicopter from settling with power and to maintain proper position relative to an external load, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent hard landing.
- [NTSB ERA13CA283](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA283.md): Hughes TH-55A · Morgantown, WV · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 12, 2013 · N7057H · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate planning which resulted in an encounter with settling with power and descent into terrain during takeoff.
- [NTSB WPR13CA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA057.md): Hughes 369D · Sheridan, OR · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 27, 2012 · N163PJ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to prevent the helicopter from entering a vortex ring state (settling with power) condition during an external load operation, which resulted in the helicopter’s main rotor blades impacting the truck.
- [NTSB WPR13LA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA025.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 Mariner · Lake Havasu, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 27, 2012 · N2627M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s unintentional and unrecognized entry into a vortex ring state as a result of conducting a course reversal turn into a tailwind while at a low altitude and airspeed, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent into water.
- [NTSB WPR13LA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA023.md): Robinson Helicopter R-44 II · Toutle, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 26, 2012 · N7530F · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain precise altitude control, which resulted in the helicopter entering a settling with power condition while hovering out of ground effect.
- [NTSB ERA13LA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA018.md): Sikorsky S-55B · Yorktown, NY · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 12, 2012 · N443FD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to perform a downwind precautionary landing and the helicopter’s resultant settling with power and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN12LA282](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA282.md): Bell 206B-III · Flora, IN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 9, 2012 · N1069Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot allowed the helicopter to settle with power.
- [NTSB ERA12LA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA063.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta · West Palm Beach, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 5, 2011 · N413RM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed during a low-altitude turn into gusty tailwind conditions, which resulted in a loss of translational lift and settling with power. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of total flight experience.
- [NTSB ERA11LA409](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11LA409.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Dayton, NJ · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 20, 2011 · N83509 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind during an out-of-ground-effect hover, which resulted in a loss of control due to settling with power and loss of tail rotor effectiveness.
- [NTSB CEN11CA325](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA325.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Golden, CO · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 8, 2011 · N921JM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to operate the helicopter at a high density altitude near terrain, which resulted in a settling with power condition.
- [NTSB WPR11CA146](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA146.md): Hiller UH-12E · Colusa, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 26, 2011 · N236HA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed and an inadvertent encounter with settling with power while flying downwind.
- [NTSB ERA11CA059](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA059.md): Hiller-Rogerson Helicopter UH12E · Madison, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 15, 2010 · N4034Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's encounter with a settling with power condition while he was performing slow, low-level, out-of- ground-effect flight maneuvers.
- [NTSB CEN10CA469](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA469.md): Hughes 269B · Lakeview, MI · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 7, 2010 · N11XC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's excessive descent angle during landing approach, which resulted in a settling with power condition.
- [NTSB ERA10LA323](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA323.md): Schweizer 269C-1 · Asheville, NC · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 21, 2010 · N247FG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain forward airspeed, which resulted in a settling with power encounter.
- [NTSB ERA10CA134](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA134.md): Enstrom F-28C · Fort Pierce, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 6, 2010 · N426KA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadvertent encounter with settling with power while hovering downwind.
- [NTSB WPR10CA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA057.md): Bell 206B · Lyons, OR · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 18, 2009 · N16869 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadvertent encounter with a vortex ring state (settling with power) condition while he was descending, and his improper initial remedial action.
- [NTSB CEN09CA270](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA270.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Kent, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 23, 2009 · N518SJ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter.
- [NTSB CHI08CA254](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA254.md): Bell 47G-3B · Kenyon, MN · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 14, 2008 · N47AH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight planning which resulted in the helicopter settling with power.
- [NTSB ANC08LA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC08LA076.md): Eurocopter AS-350 BA · Chickaloon, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 23, 2008 · N357CH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's incorrect actions during an out-of ground-effect hover, which resulted in the helicopter entering a main rotor ring vortex state, and a settling with power condition, producing an excessive descent rate and collision with terrain.

## The whole list in SQL

Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS:

```sql
SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1
WHERE c."mKey" IN (SELECT e.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' e WHERE e."isDefiningEvent" AND e."tier2Number" = '244')
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244/cases

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