Date:	Sunday 11 December 2022
Time:	14:17 LT
Type:	Eurocopter EC 120B Colibri
Owner/operator:	Sacramento County Sheriffs Office
Registration:	N255SD
MSN:	1102
Year of manufacture:	2000
Total airframe hrs:	10783 hours
Engine model:	Turbomeca Arrius 2F
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	near Rancho Cordova, CA -   United States of America
Phase:	Landing
Nature:	Training
Departure airport:	Sacramento-Mather Airport, CA (MHR/KMHR)
Destination airport:	Rancho Cordova, CA
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
The flight instructor reported that the pilot receiving instruction was practicing an offsite landing in an open area. While descending on approach to the site, the airspeed decayed to 35 kts. The flight instructor prompted for an increase in airspeed, the pilot flying acknowledged, applied forward cyclic, right pedal, and continued turning left into the wind. They encountered an uncommanded left yaw and the pilot receiving instruction added right pedal until he reached full deflection. The flight instructor then assumed control of the helicopter and pushed forward on the cyclic as he lowered the collective. The instructor attempted to recover from the uncommanded left yaw; however, but the helicopter spun several times. Unable to gain forward airspeed, the flight instructor began a descent. The helicopter subsequently landed hard substantially damaging the underside of the fuselage.
The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause: The pilot receiving instruction's loss of helicopter control during landing with a crosswind, and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action.

NTSB WPR23LA068
FAA register: https://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/Search/NNumberResult

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/N255SD

NEW: Two people were onboard when a Sacramento County sheriff\'s helicopter made an unscheduled landing in a field in Rancho Cordova, authorities said. No injuries have been reported. @kcranews https://t.co/fezDJOzCh0

— Orko Manna (@orko_manna) December 11, 2022

Here’s what the scene looks like right now. We are near Douglas Rd. & Grant Line Rd. in Rancho Cordova right now. The copter is still here in the distance; large law enforcement presence. @kcranews pic.twitter.com/s5xb3NY6O7

— Orko Manna (@orko_manna) December 11, 2022

Date/time	Contributor	Updates
30-May-2023 07:24	Ron Averes	Updated
16-Jun-2023 06:33	ASN Update Bot	Updated
16-Jun-2023 06:35	harro	Updated