29 Oct 2014: ROBINSON HELICOPTER CO R66 NO SERIES — Guidance Aviation

29 Oct 2014: ROBINSON HELICOPTER CO R66 NO SERIES — Guidance Aviation

No fatalities • Baton Rouge, LA, United States

Probable cause

An in-flight bird strike.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

The instructor pilot stated the intent of the flight was to practice autorotations, 180 degree autorotations and emergency procedures at another local airport. While enroute, approximately 1500 feet above the ground, three birds flew toward the helicopter. The instructor pilot took the controls as one of the birds and the retreating main rotor blade collided. The pilot landed the helicopter without further incident. Examination of the helicopter revealed substantial damage to the main rotor blade.

Contributing factors

  • cause Contributed to outcome

Conditions

Weather
VMC, wind 270/10kt, vis 10sm

Related events

Same aircraft

  • 17 Apr 2026 — ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II (CONCHO AVIATION LLC)
  • 27 Mar 2026 — ROBINSON HELICOPTER CO R66 (N/A)
  • 24 Mar 2026 — ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II (SULPHUR CREEK HELICOPTERS LLC)
  • 23 Mar 2026 — ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44 (Palm Beach Helicopters)
  • 19 Feb 2026 — ROBINSON HELICOPTER CO R66 (BRAZOS VORTEX LLC)

Same operator

  • 15 Nov 2014 — ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA II (Guidance Aviation)

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