# NTSB ERA26LA094: Sled Thomas Helicycle, N3722T, Mobile, AL, January 8, 2026

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: January 8, 2026, 14:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Mobile, AL · Embankment near 3618 Bay Front Road, Mobile, AL
- Coordinates: 30.598836, -88.060708 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5988&lon=-88.0607&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Loss of tail rotor effectiveness](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 14, 2026
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 202302
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA26LA094
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202302/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202302
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA094

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain yaw control during a crosswind approach, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness, an uncommanded spin, hard landing, and subsequent rollover.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Sled Thomas HELICYCLE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05615Y7), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: yaw control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Sled Thomas HELICYCLE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md?model=05615Y7), [All aircraft, 149 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md)
- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Sled Thomas HELICYCLE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=05615Y7), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing: Loss of tail rotor effectiveness](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242) (defining event); cases with it: [Sled Thomas HELICYCLE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242/sequence.md?model=05615Y7), [All aircraft, 100 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242/sequence.md)
- [Post-impact: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097); cases with it: [Sled Thomas HELICYCLE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=05615Y7), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during the approach to land at an off-airport location, the helicopter entered an uncommanded right rotation. He attributed the loss of control to unfavorable winds and described the event as consistent with a loss of tail rotor effectiveness. He was unable to regain control, and the helicopter continued to descend in a spiraling right spin before it impacted the ground and rolled over. As a result, the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3722T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3722T), registered now, S/N 02-018, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SLED THOMAS HELICYCLE
- Registry model: [Sled Thomas HELICYCLE](https://openairdocs.org/model/sled-thomas-helicycle) (registry code 05615Y7) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter, amateur-built
- Serial number: 02-018
- Year built: 2003
- Airframe hours: 1225.5
- Engines: Solar T62-T-32 150 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, February 15, 2016
- Departed: N/A, Dauphin Island, AL
- Destination: Same as departure
- Equipment: Satellite tracking device, Onboard weather, ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 73; injuries: minor; private; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 205 total, 89.9 in this make and model, 120.7 as pilot in command, 1.7 in the last 90 days, 1.4 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.99 inHg
- Observed at: BFM, 1 nm away
- METAR: METAR KBFM 082053Z 16008KT 10SM FEW035 23/18 A2999 RMK AO2 SLP156 T02280183 56019

## 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 20260108000669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260108000669A), Jan 8, 2026: Sled Thomas HELICYCLE, Mobile, AL, Substantial damage. On 1/8/2026 at approximately 14:30 local time,a single seat, single engine turbine experimental helicopter [privacy data omitted] crashed and rolled over…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 14, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202302. 18.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 7 pages, 16.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19914083&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA26LA094_6120_Pilot_Signed_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Investigative photographs (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19919450&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA26LA094%20Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf
- Memorandum for record - email correspondence, pilot (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 295 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19913436&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA26LA094_Email%20correspondence%206120_Redacted-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.

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