Helicopter Descended Into The Lake And Sustained Substantial To The Main Rotor Blades

Location: Eagle, Colorado Accident Number: CEN25LA334
Date & Time: August 22, 2025, 16:15 Local Registration: N171PL
Aircraft: Kaman Aerospace Corp K-1200 Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 133: Rotorcraft ext. load

Analysis: The pilot stated that during a rotorcraft external load operation for firefighting, he was refilling the helicopter bucket at a lake. He stated that there had been wind gusts throughout the day and a right quartering tailwind of approximately 15 kts was present when he was refilling the bucket. He said that when another helicopter flew by his helicopter about 50-100 yds right and 150 ft above his position, he felt a push to the left. He pulled back on the cyclic control, but he could not recover the helicopter, which continued pitching to the left. The helicopter descended into the lake and sustained substantial to the main rotor blades. The pilot stated there was no mechanical malfunction/failure of the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings: The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be -- The pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and impact with terrain.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov