Aug 27, 2023
Accident
Substantial Hibbing, MN
InjuriesNone
Phase of Flight-
ConditionsVMC
OperationFAR 133
Probable Cause
The ground crew’s failure to secure the backpack at the landing zone (LZ), that resulted in the tail rotor impacting the backpack during the landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate selection of an area at the LZ, the lack of awareness of the backpack at the LZ, and the absence of communication between the pilot and the ground crew during the landing.
NTSB CEN23LA385