Guimbal Cabri G2 Helicopter vs. Hangar (Independence, Iowa)

01/21/20; Independence Municipal Airport, Iowa

The student pilot, who was flying solo, reported that he "lost control" of the helicopter as he maneuvered over the ramp for a landing toward south and into the wind. The pilot was unable to regain directional control before the helicopter impacted an unoccupied airplane and a hangar.

This airport security video footage showed that the helicopter had approached the ramp in a hover-taxi heading east before it entered an increasingly rapid left spin as it drifted north toward a parked airplane and a hangar.

The helicopter cabin and tail boom sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation of the helicopter.

The pilot stated that the wind direction might have changed during the landing; however, a post-accident review of available weather data confirmed that the wind was likely from the south at 12-13 knots.