# NTSB WPR26LA172: Bell 407, N407BB, Young, AZ, April 29, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 29, 2026, 08:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Young, AZ · mountainous terrain - Coordinates: 34.159167, -111.10334 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1592&lon=-111.1033&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Tailstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/091) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 1, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 202911 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR26LA172 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202911/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202911 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA172 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a tree stump during landing in mountainous terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 407, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=1182206), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 407, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=1182206), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 407, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=1182206), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Tailstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/091) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 407, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/091/sequence.md?model=1182206), [All aircraft, 124 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/091/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during a personal flight in the helicopter, he made an approach to land in mountainous terrain. While landing, the tail rotor and vertical stabilizer struck tree stump and the helicopter touched down on the uneven surface and came to rest upright. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail rotor and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N407BB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N407BB), registered now, S/N 53603, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 407 - Registry model: [Bell 407](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-407) (registry code 1182206) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rolls-Royce 250-C47B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-250-c47b) (registry code 54585, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 53603 - Year built: 2004 - Airframe hours: 5350 - Engines: ROLLS-ROYCE 250-C47B 675 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Bravo Bravo LLC - Registered owner: Bravo Bravo LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: P19, Chandler, AZ - Airport: NA - Equipment: Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; private; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 29, 2026; seat: right; flight hours: 6,000 total, 5,300 in this make and model, 5,950 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: KPAN, 13 nm away - METAR: METAR KPAN 291455Z AUTO VRB03KT 10SM CLR 15/M07 A3014 RMK AO2 ## 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 20260429004799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260429004799A), Apr 29, 2026: Bell 407, Young, AZ, Substantial damage. 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… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 1, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202911. 4.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20500199&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_1_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of conversation (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20500305&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-PIC-Rel.pdf - Investigative photographs (item 3, PDF, 5 pages, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20500674&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photographs%20N4077B-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.