Pilot Debrief

SCHWEIZER 269C-1 near Stuart, FL — 2011-01-15

Final reportERA11LA116
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Date
2011-01-15
Location
Stuart, FL, USA
Airport
SUA
Aircraft
SCHWEIZER 269C-1
Registration
N21086
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Hover

Probable cause

The student pilot's inadvertent activation of the collective control, which allowed the helicopter to become airborne and impact the ramp.

NTSB narrative

The pilot completed a cross-country instructional flight with his flight instructor. After landing on the ramp, the flight instructor exited the cockpit and set the collective friction. The student pilot then set the cyclic friction. The flight instructor transferred aircraft control to the student pilot and asked him to remain in the cockpit while the engine cooled down. As the flight instructor was leaving the immediate area, he observed the helicopter become airborne and enter a spin. The helicopter then impacted the ramp and came to rest on its right side. A postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of pre-existing mechanical failure or malfunction. The cyclic and collective friction adjustments operated normally after the accident. Although the pilot stated that he did not initiate the event, the evidence suggests that the helicopter became airborne because of manipulation of the flight controls by the pilot.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Instructor should have ensured student was ready before leaving cockpit.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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