# 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.

Page 1 of 2 · 52 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB WPR26LA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA094.md): Enstrom F28C · Leeds, UT · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report · Feb 2, 2026 · N5692Y · Substantial damage
  > On February 2, 2026, at about 1301 mountain standard time, an Enstrom F-28C helicopter, registration N5692Y, was substantially damaged near Leeds, Utah. The pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. At the time of the accident, the helicopter was being…
- [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 WPR24LA247](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA247.md): Bell 407 · Stanley, ID · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 11, 2024 · N21BH · Substantial damage
  > A sudden wind shift which resulted in a rapid descent and subsequent dynamic rollover and collision into water.
- [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 ERA22FA207](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA207.md): Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 429 · Elba, NY · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 26, 2022 · N507TJ · Substantial damage
  > The pilots’ inappropriate flight control inputs while in vortex ring state, which resulted in main rotor blade contact with the tail boom and a subsequent in-flight breakup. Also causal was the flight instructor’s inadequate monitoring of the flight.
- [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 GAA19CA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA063.md): Robinson R44 · Knox City, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 18, 2018 · N4167Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed with a tailwind, which resulted in the helicopter settling with power, and his subsequent incorrect collective application while attempting to recover, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control due to a…
- [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 GAA18CA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA060.md): Hughes 300 · Woodlawn, VA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 22, 2017 · N9685F · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inappropriate descent profile during landing with a quartering gusting tailwind, which resulted in a loss of main rotor rpm.
- [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 GAA16CA143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA143.md): Bell 47 · Agua Dulce, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 2, 2016 · N568TB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to set the appropriate collective friction prior to releasing the collective in flight, which resulted in decreased main rotor pitch, settling with power, and an impact with terrain.
- [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 WPR14CA385](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA385.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Mokuleia, HI · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 22, 2014 · N8375E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during landing with a quartering tailwind, which resulted in a 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 WPR11LA325](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA325.md): Hughes 269C · Wenatchee, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 12, 2011 · N3623Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control while hovering out of ground effect at low altitude, which resulted in the helicopter settling into trees.
- [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 CEN09CA068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA068.md): Brantly B-2B · Cedar Hill, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 20, 2008 · N2180U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to takeoff downwind. A contributing factor was the gusty conditions.
- [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.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244/sequence.md?page=2

## 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 s.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s."tier2Number" = '244' AND s.case_mkey IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' WHERE "isDefiningEvent"))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

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

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