Accident Details
Date
Monday, September 22, 2014
NTSB Number
CEN14CA513
Location
Grand Forks, ND
Event ID
20140923X00810
Coordinates
47.952777, -97.175552
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
2
Total Aboard
2
Probable Cause and Findings
The flight instructor's inadequate supervision and delayed remedial action during a practice autorotation, which resulted in a tail rotor strike.
Aircraft Information
Registration
N1675U
Make
SCHWEIZER
Serial Number
S1878
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Registered Owner (Historical)
Name
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA
Address
JOHN D ODEGARD SCHOOL OF AEROSPAC
3980 CAMPUS RD STOP 9007
Status
Deregistered
City
GRAND FORKS
State / Zip Code
ND 58202-9007
Country
United States
Analysis
The pilot receiving instruction was performing a practice 180-degree autorotation. Just prior to touchdown, the flight instructor perceived an abrupt loss in altitude, followed by a hard landing and tail rotor strike, which substantially damaged the tail rotor. The flight instructor reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN14CA513