Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 500 accident near Twin Falls, Idaho, May 14, 2026
On May 14, 2026 at about 8:30 pm local time, a 1989 Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 500, registered N952SF, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (hover) near Twin Falls, Idaho (Joslin Fld/Magic Valley Rgnl airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain control while hovering in gusty wind conditions, resulting in the helicopter rolling onto its side.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 14, 2026 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Twin Falls, Idaho · Joslin Fld/Magic Valley Rgnl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 500, built 1989 · all 500s on the register
- Registration
- N952SF · registry record · serial 0366E
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated he was maneuvering the helicopter around and near the airport property. While practicing hovering, he was evaluating the left lateral cyclic trim control. The helicopter encountered wind and rolled, coming to rest on its left side. During the accident sequence, the main rotor blades severed the tail boom from the airframe. The pilot stated there were no pre impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, the wind was from 320° at 11 knots, gusting to 17 knots.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Other weather encounter during maneuvering (hover)
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering (hover)
- Dynamic rollover during maneuvering (hover) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Lateral/bank control › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 9,700 hours in all; 1,200 in this make and model; 4 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: June 15, 2024
- Medical certificate: BasicMed (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 3,000 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250C20B (turboshaft); 2,850 hours total
- Operator: Interparts General Business INC
The flight
- Departed from: TWF Twin Falls ID at 8:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 11 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 pm from KTWF, 1 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KTWF 142053Z 32011G17KT 10SM CLR 19/M03 A3006 RMK AO2 SLP146 T01941028 58022=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.