Pilot Debrief

Schweizer 269C near Ormond Beach, FL — 2020-02-17

Final reportERA20CA104
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Date
2020-02-17
Location
Ormond Beach, FL, USA
Airport
OMN
Aircraft
Schweizer 269C
Registration
N731TA
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

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

NTSB narrative

The student pilot reported that, while on his first solo flight in a helicopter, the wind began to increase. Concerned the wind may become unsafe, he decided to make a full-stop landing and complete the flight. After coming in for landing and while hovering over the runway, an air traffic controller instructed the student to exit the runway via the nearest taxiway. As he made a right pedal turn onto the taxiway, the helicopter began to yaw aggressively right. Concerned the helicopter was encountering a loss of tail rotor effectiveness, he applied additional right pedal and forward cyclic to increase airspeed and abort the landing. The helicopter began to spin uncontrollably and gain altitude. He rolled off the throttle and pulled aft cyclic and full collective, the right skid impacted the ground, and the helicopter then rolled onto its right side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom and fuselage. The student reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the landing earlier due to increasing wind conditions.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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