N731TA

Substantial
None

Schweizer 269CS/N: 0236

Accident Details

Date
Monday, February 17, 2020
NTSB Number
ERA20CA104
Location
Ormond Beach, FL
Event ID
20200217X93300
Coordinates
29.301111, -81.113891
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The student pilot's improper pedal and cyclic input while maneuvering, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
SCHWEIZER
Serial Number
0236
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
2006
Model / ICAO
269CH269
Aircraft Type
Rotorcraft
No. of Engines
1
Seats
3
FAA Model
269C-1

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
TOMLINSON AVIATION INC
Address
92 HANGAR WAY
City
ORMOND BEACH
State / Zip Code
FL 32174-6611
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot reported that, while on his first solo flight in a helicopter the wind began to increase. Concerned the wind may become unsafe, he deiced to make a full stop landing and complete the solo lesson. After landing and coming to a hover over the runway, air traffic control instructed him to exit the runway via nearest the taxiway. As he made a right pedal turn onto the taxiway the helicopter began to yaw aggressively to the right. Concerned the helicopter was encountering loss of tail rotor effectiveness, he applied additional right pedal and forward cyclic to increase airspeed and abort the landing. The helicopter begun to spin uncontrollably and gain altitude. He rolled off the throttle, pulled aft cyclic, and full collective, the right skid impacted the ground and rolled onto the helicopters right side.The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom, and fuselage.

The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 030° at 7 knots. The pilot was landing the helicopter on runway 9.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA20CA104