# NTSB CEN25LA337: Bell OH-58A, N707EE, Caseville, MI, August 23, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 23, 2025, 11:15 local (15:15 UTC) - Place: Caseville, MI - Coordinates: 43.930752, -83.273537 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9308&lon=-83.2735&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) shutdown: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 11, 2025 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - East Michigan FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 200844 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN25LA337 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200844/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200844 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA337 ## Probable cause The front seat passenger’s inadvertent movement of the cyclic control resulting in a dynamic rollover after landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to leave the dual flight controls installed with a non-pilot passenger in the front seat. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Knowledge: knowledge of equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032015): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Passenger (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell OH-58A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032015/cases.md?model=1181579), [All aircraft, 69 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032015/cases.md) - [Personnel issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02040000): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell OH-58A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02040000/cases.md?model=1181579), [All aircraft, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02040000/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell OH-58A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=1181579), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell OH-58A, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1181579), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Flight control system: control column section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022701): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Unintentional use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell OH-58A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022701/cases.md?model=1181579), [All aircraft, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022701/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Standing-engine(s) shutdown: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell OH-58A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md?model=1181579), [All aircraft, 161 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while on a local flight he noticed a squall line approaching and elected to return to the private strip from which he had departed. During the approach, rain intensity increased, and the wind began gusting to about 15 knots. The pilot landed the helicopter, lowered the collective, and reduced power. While the main rotor was turning about 420 rpm, the helicopter suddenly rolled over onto its right side, resulting in substantial damage to the main rotor system and fuselage. The pilot reported that the dynamic rollover was likely caused by the front seat passenger inadvertently contacting the cyclic control while turning to speak with the rear seat passenger. The OH-58A flight manual notes that when carrying non-rated passengers unfamiliar with helicopter operation, the pilot should evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of stowing the copilot controls or accepting the potential hazard of leaving them installed. The Federal Aviation Administration Helicopter Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-21B) states, “If possible, remove front passenger flight controls and ensure all passenger personal items, such as cameras and mobile phones, are secure.” Bell Helicopter Operational Safety Notice GEN-20-50 advises that pilots emphasize avoidance of flight and engine controls during preflight briefings, especially when dual controls are installed, and further notes that removing the dual controls, if installed, remains an option to prevent inadvertent interference. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N707EE](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N707EE), registered now, S/N 72-21159, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL OH-58A - Registry model: [Bell OH-58A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-oh-58a) (registry code 1181579) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison T63-A-700](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-t63-a-700) (registry code 03086, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 72-21159 - Year built: 1972 - Airframe hours: 3914.1 - Engines: Allison T63-A720 425 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 12, 2025 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: minor; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 20, 2025; seat: right; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 18,200 total, 380 in this make and model, 17,800 as pilot in command, 165 in the last 90 days, 48 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,600 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: KBAX, 16 nm away - METAR: KBAX 231515Z AUTO 22007KT 10SM SCT020 BKN036 OVC046 21/18 A2986 RMK AO2 T02080178 ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20250823012649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250823012649A), Aug 23, 2025: Bell OH-58A, Caseville, MI, Substantial damage. Aircraft made a rapid descent approach resulting in a hard landing on right landing skid which induced a dynamic roll to the right. ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 11, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200844. 309 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 8 pages, 307 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19476815&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photos (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 3 photos, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19570597&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photos-Rel.pdf - Osn GEN-20-50 (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 106 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19570569&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=OSNGEN2050-Rel.pdf - OH-58A flight manual flight control excerpt (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 62 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19571602&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Flight%20Control%20Excerpt-Rel.pdf 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.